Joseph Whitehead

Joseph C. Whitehead Tunnel Hill-Joseph C. Whitehead, 87, of Tunnel Hill passed away at 3:50 AM, Saturday, March 14, 2009 at the Fair Oaks Nursing Home in Greenville, Illinois. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at the Tunnel Hill Community of Christ Church in Tunnel Hill with Elder Glenn Webb officiating. Visitation will be form 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday, March 16, 2009 at Blue Funeral Home in Goreville. Burial will be at Webb Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by the Marion V.F.W., Marion American Legion, and the National Guard. Memorials may be made to the Webb Cemetery and Goreville Senior Center; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Mr. Whitehead was born August 20, 1921, the son of James Vernie and Jewel (Mullinax) Whitehead on the farm homesteaded by his great-grandfather, Francis Webb, one of the early pioneers in the Webb Community near Tunnel Hill. He was the sixth generation to live his entire life in this community. Joe was a devoted son who helped his father on the farm and did all he could to make his mother’s life easier. His parents preceded him in death. As a boy he attended Webb School and graduated from Goreville High School. In 1942 he answered his country’s call by serving in the United States Army during World War II. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant and completed his service in Northern Africa and Italy. After the war he attended Southern Illinois University and graduated with a degree in government. He also completed his master’s degree in educational administration. He was employed as an educator with the Goreville School System. He retired in 1986 after teaching Social Studies at Goreville High School for 33 years. During his tenure he was a basketball coach for several years. Joe’s greatest joy in life was his family. While teaching at GHS he met a young home economics teacher, Evelyn Mollet. She was the love of his life. They where married December 22, 1956, in Greenville, Illinois. Together they shared 39 years of marriage, until her death in 1995. He was a devoted and loving father to his two daughters, Jo Ellen Whitehead of Greenville and Nancy (Dan) Williams of Smithfield. He enjoyed being a grandfather to Vanessa and Daniel Williams. He had great admiration and respect for his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Berna Dean Whitehead; sister Ruth Brooks of Addison; and sister-in-law Ruth Whitehead of Marion. He was preceded in death by his brother, Wayne Whitehead; sister, June Miller; and brother-in-law Herb Miller. Joe loved the out of doors, when he was not working he spent his time on his farm. He maintained a herd of cattle until his stroke last fall. He enjoyed gardening and cutting wood. He was an avid reader and always maintained an interest in current events and politics. He looked forward to and enjoyed his daily lunch with his friends at the Goreville Senior Center. He attended the Community of Christ (Webb Church) at Tunnel Hill and Mt. Nebo Primitive Baptist Church at Greenville until his illness.