Ruby Whittington

Ruby D. Whittington, 83, of Silvis, formerly of Green Rock/Colona, died peacefully with family at her side Nov. 26, 2013, at Hope Creek Care Center, East Moline. Memorial services are 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Schroder Mortuary, Silvis. Visitation will be 4 p.m. until service time. Ruby was born Dec. 27, 1929, at her home in a farmhouse in Alba Township, Henry County, to Willis Ebert and Anna Mae Lickhart Whittington. Ruby was employed by Buddy L, several area Maid Rites, The Sky Line Inn, Harmony Lounge, the Ranch Supper Club and was on staff at both United Township High School and Colona Grade School. She was known as an exceptional hard and fast worker, sometimes taking on two jobs at a time to support herself and her daughter. She moved to Carbondale, Ill., to be near her daughter and was very proud to have earned her GED while in her 40s. She eventually retired from Tuck Tape in Carbondale and then returned to the Silvis/East Moline area. Ruby loved dogs and cherished her time with her Nicky and Sadie for whom she would make special meals as a treat. She later found a passion for yard sales and flea markets, both buying and selling special items. She especially enjoyed watching "Wheel of Fortune," the country music channel, and laughing about the antics of "The Golden Girls." She remained independent, with the help of her beloved niece, Kathy Pulse, up to one-and-a-half weeks before her passing. In her greatest days of need she was blessed to receive precious help from niece, Trudy Whittington. Special thoughts go out to all the nieces and nephews and a special thank you to Patty, Randy and great-nephew, Dalton, for keeping tabs on their aunt Ruby. Survivors include her daughter, Deborah Whittington and her partner, Dawn Boyd, Carbondale; brothers-in-law, Lindy Cooper, Silvis, and Bobbi Michels, Colona; sisters-in-law, Loris Whittington, Willow Springs, Mo., and Dorothy Whittington, Geneseo; many nieces, nephews; and granddogs, Rocco, Zoe, Harper and Rebel. She was preceded in death by her parents; infant brother, Eugene; brothers, Ernest, Robert, Raymond, Marvin and Butch (Herbert); sisters, Betty Cooper Crowe and Toots (Dorothy) Michels.