Phyllis Whittenburg

Phyllis Whittenburg, 89, of Centralia passed away Friday, July 2, 2021, at Fireside House in Centralia. She was born on October 1, 1931, the daughter of Frank and Hilda (Schmidt) Pitchford in Irvington. She married Jack Whittenburg on November 2, 1951, in Irvington. 

Survivors who share precious memories of Phyllis include her beloved family, daughter, Cheryl (Joseph III) Nunes of Cordova, Tennessee; son, Scott Whittenburg of Centralia, Illinois; granddaughter, Jennifer (Jacob) Elium of Sandy Springs, Georgia; great-grandson, John Joseph “Jack” Elium; siblings, Sherry (Jim) Hall of Swansea, Illinois, and Terry Pitchford  (Diane Rosen, his life partner) of St. Louis, Missouri; and niece, Tamora Schnitker of Troy, Illinois.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her mother Hilda Pitchford; her father Frank Pitchford; her sisters, Arlene Crouch and Lucille Irvin; her niece and four nephews. 

Phyllis was a proud “49er” graduate of Centralia High School. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Centralia and enjoyed the fellowship with her church family and the Sunday brunch bunch. Phyllis worked as an administrative assistant in the Attendance office for Centralia High School for 29 years. 

Phyllis, an avid sports fan, enjoyed cheering on the Orphans and the Cardinals. She also had a talent for and loved playing golf. She especially enjoyed traveling to and playing in golf tournaments. Her competitive spirit extended to all kinds of games. She loved to gather with friends to play bridge, pinochle, or dominoes. 

Phyllis loved to travel, whether it was down to Memphis or to volleyball tournaments with her granddaughter. She was always on the lookout for new destinations to explore with her friends. Most of all Phyllis loved spending time with her family and all of her wonderful friends.

Phyllis was a loving mother to her children, favorite Grammy to her granddaughter, devoted Gigi to her great-grandson and she treasured their time together.

Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia is privileged to be assisting the family of Phyllis Whittenburg. A celebration of life service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at the First United Methodist Church in Centralia with Rev. Sidney Davis officiating. Friends are welcome to a visitation to be held from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday, July 7 at the church. Memorials may be made in Phyllis’ honor to the First United Methodist Church and/or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences and memories of Phyllis may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

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