Rochester Centenarian, Jean Whittington, 102 years, 9 months, and 14 days departed this life on Sunday afternoon October 5, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family.
An early Christmas gift from God, Lulu Jean Blunt was born on December 21, 1922 to Wilsie and Caroline (Wing) Blunt in Falls City, Nebraska. Growing up she shared her childhood with her 5 siblings Melvin, Marcelle, Mary, Margaret, and Donna.
On May 6, 1939, Jean married Virgil Whittington in Fort Dodge, Iowa; the two spent the next 59 years together until his passing in 1998. From their union came 3 wonderful children Connie, Mickey, and Jackie. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of 3 more generations.
Dedicated with a strong work ethic, Jean worked in the manufacturing sector for multiple companies on the assembly line, in Rockford, Illinois. As a retiree, Jean enjoyed wintering in the warmth of Mercedes, Texas for 35 years, where she garnered many new friendships.
A Bingo enthusiast, Jean never missed a Bingo Wednesday Night at the Rochester's Eagles Lodge, where she was a 20-year member of the Auxiliary. She always could be found at the table with multiple cards on Sunday afternoons for marathon bingo games at Berkly Event Center in Royal Center. Jean was also a lifetime member of the VFW Post #2801 Women's Auxiliary in Loves Park, IL. another great place to play bingo when she was residing in Rockford.
Gifted with her hands, Jean was an accomplished crafter. Her specialties: ribbon Christmas trees and crocheting towel tops for the annual Fulton County Homemakers Craft Show. She had made over 300 to sell this year along with the meticulous precision of her unique and colorful Christmas trees. While working intensely on her projects she was usually listening to her favorite Irish Vocalist Daniel O'Donnell. Jean proudly owned all his albums and had attended no less than 15 concerts traveling to see him in multiple locations around the Midwest.
On December 21, 2022, a new tradition was begun by Angel Skidmore and some of Jean’s closest Eagle lady friends. Celebrating a great and vibrant centenarian by creating celebratory tee-shirts and taking her to the casino to play gamble and celebrate her new accomplishment of ascending to triple digits. She enjoyed two other special celebrations with plans for a third this year.
Left to cherish Jean's memory is daughter Connie (Willie) Sauberlich of Rochester and 6 grandchildren: Scott (Cindy) Sauberlich, Mark Sauberlich and companion Teri Gasper, Terry Whittington, Steve Whittington, Hollie Medlin, Karrie (Scot) Hounshell; 5 great-grandchildren Scott (Katelyn) Sauberlich Jr, Samantha Sauberlich, Megan Sauberlich, Dylan Sauberlich, and Laiken Sherman; 13 great-great-grandchildren Riley, Isabella, Gabriella, Cole, Aiden, Addie, Gannon, Weston, Wyatt, Dean, Hailey, Mason and Grayson.
Preceding Jean in death are her parents, her beloved husband, Ishmael “Virgil” Whittington, sons Jackie and Mickey, sisters: Marcille Risdall, Margaret Willie, Donna Phillips and Mary MacDonald, and brother Melvin Blunt.
Services celebrating Jean's life will be held at a later date at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Machesney Park, Illinois. She will be eternally resting next to her husband in the family plot. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to honor Jean's memory: Fraternal Order of the Eagles # 852, Ladies Auxiliary- 1081 East 4th Street, Rochester, IN 46975; Shop with A Cop- P.O. Box 284, Rochester, IN 46975 or Heart to Heart Hospice- 1 Cass City Center Suite 214-217, Logansport, IN 46947.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester.
