LILLIE WHITAKER, Obituary

Lillie G. Whitaker, 72, a retired homemaker and caregiver, died Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002, at a hospital in Great Falls of natural causes.

Public viewing will be Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home. Funeral service is 10 a.m. Monday at the Immanual Baptist Church with Dr. Curtis Ellis officiating. Burial is to follow at the Highland Cemetery. There will be a fellowship following the committal rite at the Immanual Baptist Church.

Lillie was born March 4, 1930, to Sam and Bernice (Herrington) Purkett at Havre. She attended St. Jude Catholic Grade School and attended Havre Public Schools. On March 3, 1950, Lillie married George Whitaker at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church with Pastor Richard Vick officiating. To this union, five children were born. Lillie was a housekeeper and caregiver to various Havre residents.

Lillie was a member of the Eagles Club and the VFW Auxiliary.

She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, playing bingo, roller skating with her grandchildren until she broke her leg at 60 years of age, tending her yard and

garden, and especially participating in family gatherings.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Bernice (Herrington) Purkett; husband, George Whitaker in 1981; son, David Whitaker; brothers, Sam "Sammy" Purkett and Jim "Jimmy" Purkett; sister, Lorraine (Jim) Purkett Raffato; grandchildren, Daniel Whitaker and Dodge Estell.

She is survived by her brothers, George (Shirley) Purkett of Pocatello, Idaho, Ronnie Purkett of Lewistown; sisters, Ollie May "Pinky" (Robert "Bob") Guy of Great Falls, Gerri (Hal) Sanders of California, Gloria (Gene) Brinkman of Minot, N.D., and Linda Jauaherian of California; sisters-in-law Monique Purkett of California and Betty Purkett of Washington; sons Daniel Whitaker and Dwayne (Kelly) Whitaker, both of Havre; daughters, Barbara (Mike) Jones of Kingston, Wash., and Debe (Ron) VandenBoom of Havre; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.

Memorials in Lillie's honor may be made to the Heritage Center, 306 Third Ave., Havre, MT 59501 or St. Jude Catholic Church, 440 Seventh Ave., Havre, MT 59501.

Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.