Jean Whightsil

Notice of the Death of our Friend

Jeannie Whightsil

August 2, 1934 - September 20, 2017

Born: Kansas City, MO to Buster and Dorothy Burel

Married: Forrest R. Whightsil on March 3, 1979

Children: Nancy (Mark) Benton, Lexington, KY

John (Lida) Rose, Omaha, NE

Stepchildren: Ron (Karen) Whightsil, Topeka, KS

Cindy Hough, Topeka, KS

Randy (Erika) Whightsil, Topeka, KS

Eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren

Jeannie Whightsil lived a long and rewarding life. Early in life, she worked with the Kansas City Royals from 1972 to 1976 in various capacities. After she married her husband Forrest, they enjoyed traveling to all parts of the country while creating a successful vending machine business. When they began winding down their business, they spent much of their time touring and displaying their various customized vintage "street rod" automobiles throughout the Midwest. Jean loved to pamper herself, and enjoyed spending long afternoons at the spa with her dear friend and hair stylist. Jean was the proud mother of two children and three step-children. She also had a gracious and profound influence on her eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her life was filled with motherhood, travel, and a joy for kindness and beauty.

It is normal for those of us that are left behind to mourn and weep for our loved ones. We ask questions like "why her?" and "why not me?". In those first moments of absolute loss, we are often angry and inconsolable. We are angry at our grief and our complete inability to control these strong emotions.

In the days following her death, her husband Forrest expressed these heartfelt sentiments:

"I cried because I could not hold her anymore. I could not see her, listen to her, hear her, touch her, or have her touch me. But the truth is she suffered tremendous pain for over two years. And the doctors couldn't do anything to fix that. We shouldn't shed tears for her death. That is selfish. God knew better than us and He intervened. Praise God that she is at peace, as I do."

It is a cherished blessing to think back on Jean's life, and we feel grateful to have been able to share it with her. "We don't have to live forever, we just have to live." And she did.

A Remembrance Service will be held on Saturday, September 30 at the Lake Shawnee Public Golf Course Clubhouse, 4141 SE East Edge Rd., Topeka, KS. from 2 to 4 pm for relatives, friends and acquaintances. Instead of floral arrangements, the family requests that donations be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society of Topeka in the name of Jeannie Whightsil.