Glen Whiting

Glen Whiting lived his life to care for his family, friends and country. He put them first, adhereing to the motto of his 2nd Infantry Battalion in Korea, "Second to None". At the age of 82, Glen D. Whiting passed into the gates of Heaven Monday, December 2, 2013 from his home in Thomson, Illinois. Glen will be dearly missed by his wife, June Whiting of Thomson; a son, Steve (Cindy) Whiting of Thomson; two daughters, Kathy (Elmer) Monshower of Thomson and Karen Bowers of South Holland, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Steve, Brian, Jesse, James, Matthew, Annie and Kelly; thirteen great grandchildren; a beloved nephew, Terry (Carolyn) McCunn of Fulton; and a sister, Geraldine Wolding of Winter Haven, Florida. Glen is preceded in death by his parents; two sons in infancy; two brothers, Harlan and Harold; and three sisters, Evelyn Jacobsen, Bernice Lindstrom and Elaine Fink. Glen was born August 17, 1931 in Amherst, Wisconsin, the son of Howard and Emma (Waldorf) Whiting. When Glen was a young boy his family moved to Fulton, Illinois where he attended elementary school. He is a graduate of St. John's Lutheran School in Clinton, Iowa. Glen enlisted in the US Army to serve during the Korean War. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant as a Combat Engineer with the 2nd Infantry Battalion. Glen would say "my time in Korea really strengthened my faith". Glen felt strong about the honor of serving his country. A tremendous highlight later in his life was attending the Korean War Memorial Dedication in Washington D.C. On February 1, 1954, Glen married June McCue in Morrison, Illinois. They celebrated 59 years of marriage. Glen and June lived in Fulton for fifteen years before moving to Thomson. He worked for the City of Fulton, and then began his career as a Union Laborer in the construction trades, and later a member of the Teamsters and Operating Engineers Union. He worked on many major projects, including Chemplex, Ralston Purina and the demolition of the old Fulton - Lyons bridge. Glen will always be remembered as a guy that could make friends with anyone. He cherished his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, never forgetting to let them know he loved them. Glen was a member of the Thomson American Legion Donald Ashpole Post#1025, life-member of the Clinton AMVETS and the Savanna VFW Post#2223 where he was Past Commander. His veteran friends were very important to him. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 6, 2013 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Thomson, with Pastor Paul Fritz officiating. Burial will be in the Fulton Cemetery with Full Military Rites. Visitation will be held 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 5, 2013 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Thomson. Memorials may be given in Glen's memory for the Thomson American Legion, Clinton AMVETS and the Savanna VFW.