Gail I. Whitfield's Obituary
Decatur – Gail I. Whitfield, 70, of Decatur, passed away Sunday, April 3, 2022, with her family and dogs at her side.
Gail was born November 15, 1951, in Decatur, the daughter of Jack and Margaret (Shields) Tharp. A member of the Ski Klub of Illinois and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Gail dedicated her life being a nurse taking care of other people at St. Mary’s Hospital and Prairie Cardiovascular. She loved shopping with her granddaughter, Megan, and traveling with Pat Cook with Timi Tours. She especially loved her trips to see Steve, his wife Laura and grandson Gavin. She was our rock that kept us fed.
Gail is survived by her husband, Craig, who she married on May 27, 1977, in Decatur, IL; children: Steve (wife, Laura) Whitfield of IN, and Chris Whitfield of Blue Mound; grandchildren: Megan Whitfield (fiancé, Blake Harvey), and Gavin Whitfield.
Gail also leaves behind brothers: Patrick Tharp (Lori), Jack Tharp, Jr., and Michael Tharp (Jana); Nephews: Tyler D. Tharp (Jenn), and Patrick John Tharp, II, (fiancé, Emily Vana) and niece Megan Rhoades (Mike), and Sara Tharp; great nieces and nephews: Sevayah Tharp, Wyatt Tharp, Logan and Charlotte Rhoades. She also leaves niece, Kori Gedris (Anthony) and their son Alex and several cousins.
Surviving in-laws: Janet Whitfield, Deb Foster (Vince), Brian Whitfield (Deb), Jeff Whitfield (Jean); extended family: Lynn Corley (Terry), Gary Powell (Sue), Yolanda Knapp (Ken), Lisa Miloser (Bryan), Holly Henderson (Jason), Lisa Jo Webb (Joey), Brandon Whitfield (Joni), Lindsey Hart (Colton), Danielle Nelson (Andrew), Michelle Sprenger (Andrew), Katie Farmer (Joe), Lauren Powell, Kaitlyn Powell, Dakota Miloser, Whitlee Miloser, Brynlee Henderson, Maverick Henderson, Karlee Webb, Logan Webb, Owen Whitfield, Haislee Whitfield, and Beau Hart.
Gail was preceded in death by her parents; father and mother in-law: Dwayne Whitfield and Joanne Whitfield, brother-in-law, Stuart Whitfield.
Graveside services will be 11 am, Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Graceland Cemetery. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois or Humane Society of Decatur and Macon County.
Special thanks to Cancer Care, Dr. Esparaz and Dr. Yoon, Advanced Healthcare Services: Nicole, Sue Ellen, Megan, Kimberly, Trish and Kristen. You all did an awesome job taking care of Gail. Thank you, Craig.
The family of Gail I. Whitfield is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2091 N. Oakland Avenue, Decatur, IL. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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