Laura Whittaker

Laura G. Whittaker, 56, of Creve Coeur, Ill., formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Monday, Dec. 27, 2004, at Proctor Hospital in Peoria, Ill.

She was born in Cape Girardeau Aug. 18, 1948, to Harry F. and Anola Burris Gill. She was a member of the old St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church on Main Street, the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 202 and the River City Blues Society.

She married William E. Whittaker May 14, 1965, in Cape Girardeau. He died in 1990.

Surviving are two sons, Mark Whittaker of Creve Coeur and William E. Whittaker Jr. of Pekin, Ill.; her mother and stepfather, Anola and Ralph Bowerman, both of East Cape Girardeau, Ill.; three brothers, Harry Gill of St. Louis, Hugh Gill of Creve Coeur and Pat Gill of Chillicothe, Ill.; four sisters, Martha Hamilton and husband Tom of Cape Girardeau, Patricia Dokich of Cedar Lake, Ind., Jeannie Hinck and husband Bill of Cape Girardeau, Anola Stowick and husband Mike of Arlington Heights, Ill.; five grandchildren, Paige, Heather, Jacob, Brook and William E. Whittaker III.

She was preceded in death by her husband and two sisters.

Laura's love and devotion to family and friends kept her close to those both near and far. Her passing leaves a great void in the lives of all who knew her.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the old St. Vincent de Paul Church, with the Rev. Patrick Nwokoye officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

The family suggests memorials be made to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.