Minnie Whitler

Minnie Clara Whitler, 85, of Gordonville, passed away Friday, Feb. 17, 2006, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Oct. 30, 1920, in Gordonville, daughter of Martin P. and Clara M. Eggers Hanschen. She and Louis Henry Whitler were married Sept. 19, 1946, in Gordonville. They enjoyed 57 years of marriage prior to his death on Oct. 14, 2003.

Minnie retired from the former International Shoe Co. in Jackson. She was a lifelong member of Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville.

Loving survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Janice Whitler of Peoria, Ill., Lee and Marsha Whitler of Webster Groves, Mo.; three grandchildren, Matthew Whitler of Chicago, Melissa Whitler and husband Conley Edwards IV of Minneapolis, John Whitler of Washington, D.C.; two sisters, Margaret "Maggie" Williams of Gordonville, Sarah Borchelt and husband Ben of Cape Girardeau; two sisters-in-law, Jessie Hanschen of Cape Girardeau and Peg Hanschen of Gordonville; and two brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dewey and Virginia Keller of Gordonville and Leon and Carol Whitler of Jackson.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Edward Hanschen, Walter Hanschen and Martin "Pete" Hanschen.

Friends may call Sunday, Feb. 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, and Monday, Feb. 20, after 9 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with Rev. Gary Hoffstetter officiating.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Christ Lutheran Church.