Robert Whitney, 80 of Aledo, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at his home after a long battle with Parkinsons. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, September 12, at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Private family graveside services will be held in Aledo Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mercer County Ag Society.
Robert Allan Whitney was born on September 2, 1944, in Rock Island County, Illinois, to Lauren and Zena (Hofmann) Whitney. He married Linda Fetters on July 16, 1966, in Illinois City, Illinois.
Bob was a graduate of Rockridge High School. While in school, he showed cattle at the Rock Island County Fair. He worked at the Mercer Livestock Auction while farming with his grandmother, Mollie Hofmann. In 1969, Bob and Linda moved to the Aledo area where they farmed until retiring. His joy was helping Allan show Hereford Cattle and Lori show Shorthorn Cattle. They were fortunate to have a Shorthorn heifer place as Junior Shorthorn Champion at the Illinois State Fair in 1988. Bob enjoyed attending livestock auctions. He was a former member of the Aledo FFA Alumni and was a member of the Mercer County Farm Bureau.
Bob is survived by his wife, Linda; son, Allan; daughter, Lori; brother, Richard (Carol Volz); and two nieces, Kristina (Jeremy) Stump and Ashley (Josh) Fowler and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents.