Mary Lou Whittington

Mary Lou Whittington, 70 of Viola, died Friday, December 19, 2008 at the Mercer County Hospital. Funeral Services will be Tuesday at 11:00 AM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Burial will be in Viola Cemetery. Visitation is Monday from 3 to 7 PM at the funeral home. The family has established a memorial to the American Cancer Society in honor of Mary Lou surviving ovarian cancer for 9 years. Mary Lou was born on October 25, 1938 in Duncan Township to Robert Lee & Opal Pearl (Fender) Fowler. She attended school in Alpha, Shale City and graduated from Viola High School. She married Richard Whittington on October 12, 1956 in Viola. Mary Lou was a member of the Viola United Presbyterian Church. She also enjoyed quilting and crocheting and shared her talent by giving the afghans and quilts away. She had a big heart, especially for her family. Mary Lou enjoyed cooking for her family, but was also employed with Town & Country in Aledo and Country Folks Inn in Viola. Mary Lou is survived by her husband of 52 years, Richard; 2 children, Jeff Whittington of Viola and Tresa Larson and her husband Dickie of East Moline; 2 grandchildren: Chasity Whittington and Haley Larson; 2 honorary grandchildren, Robin Leonard and Steve Lineweaver; 2 brothers and spouses: Gene & Judy Fowler of Andalusia and Dick & Paula Fowler of Bull Shoals, AR; a sister, Wanda Evans of Matherville and a sister-in-law, Ruth Fowler of Viola. She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 brothers, Dwayne and Robert Jr. and a sister, Joyce in infancy.