Lois A. Whitehead

Lois A. Whitehead, 68, of Mulberry Grove, Illinois, passed away on May 4, 2024, at her home surrounded by loving family.

Lois was born February 4, 1956, in Crawfordsville, Indiana, the daughter of Thomas Gerald and Rebecca Mae (Nichols) Craig and the natural daughter of Lewis Edgar and Minta Mae Schillings Baker. She graduated from Southmont High School, near New Market, Indiana, in May of 1974. She married Randall Whitehead on December 21, 1974, at the Christian Church, in New Market Indiana, between semesters of his senior year in college.

She wasn’t going to marry a preacher; guess what, she did and was married nearly 50 years. Lois served as preacher’s wife in Mulberry Grove since 1986, except for 6 years living in St Elmo.
She was basically shy and quiet until she began her job at the Vandalia, Illinois McDonald’s in the latter 1990’s. It was her special niche in the Drive Thru where she met many customers and was even invited to go fishing though she did not go that day! She continued to clean the dining room, the playground equipment, and facilities at the McDonald’s, amazing many people with her desire and stamina.

For many years, she played the piano in church services and participated in special music in neighboring churches and was applauded for her ability and willingness to participate.
In her younger days, she helped lead girl scouts, participated in youth group programs in the church, was a member of the area Red Hats and met with the Fancy Fine Ladies, a Christian women’s group. She enjoyed traveling to see friends in Florida and at the Ira Allen House in Vermont. The white sands and light houses of St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, and friends made in the area of Gatlinburg, Tennessee beckoned to her. She was especially amazed by Niagara Falls and wondered at the size of it all. One of her favorite enjoyments was going to see the great grandbaby up in the Chicagoland area.

She was a Christian and a member of the First Church of Christ of Mulberry Grove, Illinois. She served as a treasurer, children’s leader, piano player, backpack lunch leader, and loved the church family like her own.

She loved to knit, crochet, read books, watch the Game Show Network and Hallmark, but her favorite thing of all was spending time with her family. Lois welcomed everyone into her family. She claimed children, grandkids, and siblings that weren’t her own, and loved them as if they were.
Preceding Lois in death are her parents, natural parents, natural sisters, Sharon, Becky, Betty, Janet, natural brothers, Dean, David, Sam.

Surviving Lois are her husband, Randy Whitehead of Mulberry Grove, Illinois; daughters, Rebecca (Travis) Ennis of Charleston, Illinois and Michell (Joshua) Nicolaides of Vandalia, Illinois; grandchildren, Dalton (Crystal) Keller of Romeoville, Illinois, Zachary (Jila) Logsdon of St. Elmo, Illinois, Eli (Emma) Ennis of Ashmore, Illinois, Emily Ennis of Charleston, Illinois, Adrienne (Gaven Davis) Logsdon of Vandalia, Illinois, Elisha Ennis of Charleston, Illinois, Ethan Ennis of Charleston, Illinois, Jackson Nicolaides of Pana, Illinois, Carly Nicolaides of Pana Illinois, Eleah Ennis of Charleston, Illinois; one great grandchild, with one expected; siblings, John (Phyllis) Craig of Crawfordsville, Indiana and Bill (Dawn) Craig of Alba, Texas; natural siblings, Jean Perkins of Roachdale, Indiana, June Casey of Ivesdale, Illinois, Naomi Wertz of Crawfordsville, Indiana, Ruby Reedy of Bloomingdale, Indiana, Cathy (Dan) Overfelt of Hillsboro, Indiana, Lewis Baker of Crawfordsville, Indiana, Bill Baker of Crawfordsville, Indiana and Jon Baker of Mace, Indiana.

Visitation: 5:00 – 7:00 pm., Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at the First Church of Christ, 405 N. Maple St., Mulberry Grove, IL 62262.

Funeral: 11:00 am., Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the church, with Rev. Keith Butler, officiating.

Burial: Mulberry Grove Cemetery, following the funeral.

The family asks that donations be made to the First Church of Christ, Mulberry Grove and/or Bond County Hospice, in lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts.

Memorial contributions may be given at the visitation and funeral or mailed to the First Church of Christ, PO Box 88, Mulberry Grove, IL 62262, and/or Bond County Hospice, 1520 S. 4th Street, Greenville, IL 62246.

The family has entrusted Assalley-Young Funeral Home in Greenville with the ceremonies.
Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or offer condolences to the family.