James F. Whittenburg

James F. Whittenburg, age 87, of Janesville, died Sunday, April 29, 2012, at Cedar Crest.

He was born in Macon, MO, on May 26, 1924, the son of Joseph and Anna Ellen (Howe) Whittenburg. Jim served in the US Army from 1944-1946 in the European Theatre participating in the Battle of the Bulge with Co A, 1st Bn, 104th Reg, 26th Div. He married Mary Margaret Hughes on Aug. 6, 1942, in Centralia, MO. They renewed their vows on their 65th anniversary. He worked as a school bus driver and mechanic as well as served as the Fire Chief for the City of Orangeville, IL for 21 years. He then was employed at Warner Lambert in Rockford, IL as a mechanic until his retirement. Jim was a member of the American Legion in Brodhead, Janesville Loyal Order of Moose #197, and a former member of the McAllen, TX, Elks Club.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; 2 sons, Dan (Peg) Whittenburg of Thompson Falls, MT, and Jim M. (Tamme) Whittenburg of Loves Park, IL; 3 daughters: Linda (George) Salter, Janet (Lyall) Martin and Karen (David) Brown all of Janesville; 12 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Irving Gates; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; twin sons, Larry and Jerry; a granddaughter, Amy; great granddaughter, Ruth; 3 sisters: Marilyn Whittenburg, Betty Gates, and Joanne Leathers; and a brother-in-law, Ralph Leathers.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at the SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY. Burial with full military honors will be in Milton Lawns Memorial Park. Visitation will take place on Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY. Memorials may be made to Cedar Crest. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses, staff and residents of Cedar Crest for the loving care and compassion given to Jim as well as Margaret over the past number of years.