Francis "Frank" J. Whitney

Francis "Frank" James Whitney, 69, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, September 3, 2016 in his home surrounded by loved ones.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, September 10 at Epworth United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00, prior to the services, Saturday at the church. Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation rites.

Frank was born May 11, 1947 and raised in Ottawa by his parents Elmer and Daisy (Newkirk) Whitney. He married Cinda Page on August 5, 1972 in Belvidere, Illinois.

Frank graduated from Ottawa Township High School and then attended IVCC and Illinois State University in Normal, and DePaul University in Chicago, where he earned a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Administration. He was a counselor for 37 years with the State of Illinois Vocational Rehabilitation Services. He was a member of the National Rehabilitation Association, Illinois Rehabilitation Association, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). He became a Board Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Illinois.

Frank enjoyed the people he met as consumers as well as coworkers, both in his agency and other agencies. He enjoyed activities with his family and friends, fishing, cooking, and writing. He was a long time member of Epworth United Methodist Church and AFSCME. He enjoyed history and going to the Starved Rock Civil War Roundtable.

He is survived by his wife; one son, Andrew; one daughter, Elizabeth; one grandson; one sister, Phyllis (Ron) Blick; two nephews; three great-nephews; and one great-niece. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Frank loved a quote that is said to be from JFK; "There are three things which are real; God, Human Folly, and Laughter. The first two are beyond our comprehension so we must do what we can with the third."

We would like to thank all of our friends, relatives, church family, and Pastor Carolyn Lukasick, who have helped in so many ways. We also give a special thank you to Susan Whitney, as she took care of his favorite canine Max when Frank was receiving cancer treatments.

Memorial contributions in Frank's name may be donated to the American Cancer Association in care of Hope Lodge, Iowa City; Epworth United Methodist Church; or the Ottawa Salvation Army.