Ellen J. Whitney 97, died Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at her Newton residence. She was born March 1, 1919 in Kanona, New York to Elmer and Sybil (Miles) Failing. On January 4, 1944 she married Donald Whitney at Hanford, California and he survives her. Ellen served her country during WW II in the Army Air Corps “WACS”. She was a member of the Meridian Baptist Church in Newton, Kansas. Ellen enjoyed spending time reading, tending flowers and taking walks around the neighborhood. She also looked forward to road trips and traveling around the country with her husband.
She is survived by her husband Donald of the home; daughters Carole and Bob Howes of Poway, California and Donna and David Withiam of Newton, Kansas. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 4 great great Grandchildren.
Ellen is preceded in death by her parents and 6 brothers and sisters and one grandson.
Graveside committal service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton, Kansas with Chaplain Jerroll Martens and Pastor Scott Kliewer presiding. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Petersen Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in care of Petersen Funeral Home
Rest Ellen, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.