BELLE RIVER, Ill — Laura Katherine “Katie” Whipple, age 90, of Belle Rive, IL passed away at 8:25 a.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL.

She was born February 20, 1933 in rural Hamilton County near Dahlgren, IL – a daughter of David & Wilhelmina (Geiger) Garrison.  On April 12, 1952 she married W.G. “Bill” Whipple, who preceded her in death on December 15, 2009.

She was a member of the Belle Rive Missionary Baptist Church and she was a homemaker.

She is survived by her children: David Whipple & wife Marlene, Greg Whipple, Carol Whipple, John Whipple & wife Angie, and Mary Wilkerson & husband David; 7 grandchildren: Elayna Lacy & husband Brent, Kevin Whipple & wife Sarah, Jaicie Holland & husband Billy, Jared Whipple & wife Kailee, Jamin Whipple, Aaron Wilkerson & wife Rikki, Alysha Suver & husband Caleb, and 23 great grandchildren.  One brother-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law, and several nieces & nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband W.G. “Bill” Whipple, 2 sisters: Helen Sailer and Alleta Hanks, 4 brothers-in-law, and 1 sister-in-law.

Funeral services for Laura Katherine “Katie” Whipple will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the Belle Rive Missionary Baptist Church in Belle Rive, IL with Rev. Richard McCormick officiating.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday at the church.  Interment will follow the funeral service at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Dahlgren, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and will be accepted at the church or at Gholson Funeral Home in Mcleansboro.

Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at gholsonfuneralhome.com