Mary "GRANNY" K. Whitehurst

Peoria- Mary K. Whitehurst, 86, of Peoria passed away Wednesday, July 8, 2015.

She was born March 23, 1929 in Peoria to Omi B. and Nellie L. (Engle) Loew. She married Lawrence H. Whitehurst, Jr. on June 5, 1947 in East Peoria. He preceded her in death May 1, 1966 in Peoria.

Also preceding her in death were her parents; her sons, Terry and Steve Whitehurst; one great granddaughter, Madeline Antonio; her sister, Phyllis Bouton; and her brother, George Loew.

Surviving are her sons, Tom (Marlene) of Tennessee, Tim (Betty) of Peoria and Scott (Karen) of East Peoria; her grandchildren, Gary Whitehurst, Brandy Antonio, Jodie Mallinson, Heather McGown, Lindsey and Rachel Whitehurst, Tara Camp, Cassie Shaw, Christina Ralston, Jeremiah Whitehurst, and Kayla Shaw; 13 great grandchildren; her brother, Harold Loew.

Mary worked many jobs over the years which included Szolds Department Store, Cohen Furniture and Pleasant Hill Elementary School.

She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Peoria and the LWML.

Mary was a proud advocate of using the “Bunny Ear Method” to teach children to tie their shoes.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am Monday, July 13, 2015 at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel in Bartonville with the Rev. Karl Eckhoff officiating. Burial will follow at Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm Sunday, July 12th and one hour prior to services on Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Condolences and memories may be shared through Davison-Fulton-Bartonvillechapel.com