Madeline J Whitman

Madeline J Whitman,94, of Franklin, passed away at 9:20 p.m. on Thursday, December 26th, at Sugar Creek Station, where she had resided for the past several years, ending a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She was born December 15, 1919 and was the daughter of the late Howard King and Harriet (Shaw) King. Madeline graduated from Rocky Grove High School. On July 20, 1937 she was married to Arthur H. Whitman, and he preceded her in death in 1967. She was the loving mother of Ronald, Arthur, and William Whitman, Janet (Greg) Kiser, and Wendy (Sean) Eichholtz. She is survived by her son William and his partner, Carol Reinsel of Franklin, and her daughters, Janet (Greg) Kiser of Utica, and Wendy (Sean) Eichholtz of Franklin. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Ronald (Kellie) Daughterty of Niceville, Florida, Sheri (Kelly) Fletcher of Honolulu, Hawaii, William Morrison of Clarksville, Tennesee, Vikki Davis and Lorrie Whitman of Franklin, Cindy (Gene) Wyant, and Brian Whitman, of Oil City, Jodie (Ken) Schleifer of Sandy Lake, and Cori (John) Williams of Harrisville, Duane WID Sheatz II and his fiance, Keri Pritts, of Polk, Nathan Sheatz, and his wife Alisha, and Jenna Sheatz, of Franklin. She has 15 great grandchildren and one great- great grandson. She also has several nieces and nephews in the area, Madeline worked hard all of her life in many Franklin restaurants and businesses and truly loved working with the public. She always said she did not have any desire to travel, because she loved Franklin so much. She retired from Polk Center where she worked in the dietary department. Before her declining health, she enjoyed going to the casinos, playing bingo, working in her yard and shooting pool. At one time she was the oldest member of the Franklin Woman's Pool League. She also enjoyed helping out in her son's restaurant, Little Pokey's, where many of the patrons affectionately called her Mom. Madeline was always happy and laughing; often playing practical jokes on others. She was also known to invite anyone who didn't have a place to go for a holiday dinner to her home to eat with the family. She would do anything for her family or friends if it meant giving up her last dollar. In addition to her parents, spouse, and two sons, Ronald and Arthur, she was preceded in death by her sister, Jean Peterson and brothers, Jack King, Howard Sonny King, Kenneth King, Ernst King, and Robert King. She was the last remaining member of her immediate family. Friends will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, on Monday, December 30, 2013 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. A Funeral Service for Madeline will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at 11 AM with Rev. Randy Kightlinger, Chaplin of Sugar Creek Station officiating. Interment will be in Franklin Cemetery. In Madeline's memory, memorial donations may be made to Club Pet, 20 Shaller Road, Transfer, PA, 16154. To send online condolence, cards, flowers, or to obtain further information, friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com