Rev. Milton L. Whitney, 99, of Freeport, IL, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Milton was born April 15, 1925 to Darwin and Ethel (Blomberg) Whitney at their home on Parmele Street, Rockford, IL. He was raised in Rockford with his sister, Mildred and brother, Ken. He graduated from West High in January of 1943. He was attending Carthage College in Carthage, IL, when he was drafted into the US Army. He served in World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart. Upon returning from the war, he continued his education at Carthage College, graduating in 1948. He married his college sweetheart, Mava Loper. He was attending Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary when Mava and their newborn son, Michael Lee, both died shortly after delivery.

Milton's faith never wavered, and he was ordained into ministry. On June 10, 1951, he married Evelyn Geske. They celebrated 62 years of marriage until Evelyn passed away in 2013. Together, they raised three children: Mark, Joan and Janice.

In his decades of ministry, known to many people as Pastor Whitney or Pastor Milt, served Illinois congregations in Warrenville, Harvard, Pearl City, Kent, and Freeport.  With Evelyn always by his side, they faithfully served a lifetime of ministry.

Milt enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, ping pong, bicycling, golf, fishing, boating, and especially sail boating. He was very active in his communities. He founded the Golden Age Club for seniors in the Pearl City area. He belonged to the area Rock Club, ROMEOs breakfast club, and the Pearl City Lions Club. He received the Lions' Melvin Jones Award and Gail Johnson Memorial Service Award for his dedication to the needs of others. He was an admirer and supporter of the "To God Be The Glory" red barn on US Route 20. He was a former visitation pastor and member of First Lutheran Church in Freeport. He was an "engineer without a degree," building his own camper and sailboat. Milton was an avid Scrabble player, often winning the game but taking just as much delight when someone else had a higher score. He always took a sincere and keen interest in other people and their well-being, and simply found no benefit in complaining. He always gave glory and praise to God for all his blessings and lived life to the fullest. If there was one word to describe him, it would be faithful.

Milt is survived by three children, Mark (Patti) of Hillsboro, Oregon, Joan Stewart of Freeport, Janice Kniss (Chris Torgersen) of Stillman Valley; grandchildren Jared (Beccah) Whitney, Jordan Whitney, Pete (Jenny) VanHorn, Tim Kruse, Karel Leiper, and Dan (Cara)Kniss; great-grandchildren Alex Kniss, Colin Kniss, Zachary VanHorn, and Bethaney Leiper ; sister Mildred Bridgeland of Rockford; brother Kenneth (Susan) Whitney of Emmitt, Idaho; and his good friend and companion Jeanne Koch.

Thank you to the staff of Parkview Home for their outstanding care and compassion.

A visitation will be held at Schwarz Chapel, 608 S Park Blvd, Freeport on Friday, July 26th from 4-7pm. Funeral Service will be held at St John's Lutheran Church, 109 S First St, Pearl City, IL on Saturday, July 27th at 11am. The burial will be in Highland Cemetery in Pearl City after the service. A luncheon will be served in Luther Hall at St John's following the burial. Memorials will be donated to Milton's favorite charities.

Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."