Jack Gene Whiteside's Obituary
Jack Gene Whiteside, 83, of Decatur, passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2014 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Jack was born January 10, 1931 in Niantic, the son of Morris and Thelma (Patterson) Whiteside. An Army veteran of the Korean War, Jack worked in the tool crib at Caterpillar until retiring in 1992. Jack was an auctioneer and avid horseman. He raised and raced harness horses, was a member of the U.S.T.A., past president of the Big 10 Trotting Association, and former speed superintendent of the Macon County Fair Grounds. Jack and his wife Shirley loved going to Bob Evans for breakfast and Gabby’s for dinner on a daily basis. He also loved to drink coffee and solve the world’s problems in the mornings with his friends at Harold’s House of Donuts and McDonalds. Jack married Shirley Koshinski on Oct. 21, 1966 in Decatur.
He is survived by his daughters: Bridget (Jeff) McIntyre and Jackie (Jeff) Childress of Oakley; grandchildren: Ryan McIntyre of Chicago and Collin Childress of Oakley. He is also survived by an uncle, Bob Patterson of Decatur and aunt, Hazel Patterson of Niantic; cousin, Ronnie Patterson of Decatur, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers: Darrell “Hot Shot” and Bill Whiteside.
Services to celebrate his life will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, January 20, 2014 in the funeral home. Burial with military honors conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard will be in Point Pleasant Cemetery, Long Creek. Memorials may be directed to American Heart Association.
Special thanks to: Tina and Sandy from DMH Hospice, Dr.’s Rademacher and Lam, and their special friends and neighbors for all your help in these last days and years.
The Whiteside family is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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