Obituary for Beth Whitney

Beth E. Whitney

September 18, 1928 – September 7, 2021

Beth Whitney, Ponca City resident, died Tuesday September 7th, 2021, surrounded by family. She was 92.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Monday September 13th, 2021, at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Ponca City with the Rev. Zachary Boazman, celebrant, officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 3-5 pm and a Rosary will be held at 7 pm Sunday September 12th, 2021, at Trout Funeral Home Chapel.

Elizabeth (Beth) Eloise Gile was born on September 18th, 1928, in Republic County, Kansas, the fourth of twelve children to W.L. “Roy” and Julia (Holgerson) Gile. She attended the local rural school with her siblings, including making the 1.5 mile walk to and from school. When that school closed due to a teacher shortage associated with World War II, her family moved to Concordia, Kansas so Beth and her siblings could continue their education. While in high school, she enjoyed taking woodworking and shop classes. She graduated high school in 1946 and began working for Fidelity State Bank in Concordia, KS. She married her high school sweetheart, Royal Whitney, on August 4, 1951, in Concordia, and she moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma as a new bride. Beth worked at Continental Oil Company in Payroll for 4 years prior to having children. Beth loved being a stay-at-home mother to her 3 children. She supported their interests and hobbies, and was an eager helper for her children’s activities, including Cub Scouts and Campfire Girls. She enjoyed baking, gardening, sewing, picnics, and traveling. She was a long-time member of St. Mary’s Church, and had been active in St. Francis and St. Helena Guilds. Beth’s greatest joy was time spent with her family. Sundays after Mass were often spent sharing a home-cooked meal with her family. Beth and Royal spent many happy years after his 1986 retirement, traveling with PrimeTimers and volunteering for Westminster Village and Meals on Wheels. Beth loved her grandchildren so much and enjoyed doting on them as only a grandmother can do. She was very proud of her great-granddaughters.

She is survived by her children-Paul Whitney and his wife Nancy of Ponca City, OK, Mark Whitney and his wife Linda of Houston, TX, and Pam (Whitney) Schwager and her husband Bruce of Edmond, OK; five grandchildren-Carl Schwager and his wife Caitlin of Lenexa, KS, John Whitney and his wife Clare of Houston, TX, and Mary, Scott, and Curt Schwager of Edmond, OK; two great-granddaughters-Amelia and Elaine Schwager of Lenexa, KS; five sisters-Joan Meili, Louise Kempton, Trudi Heide, Janet Shrader, and Martha Gebhart (and her husband Jack); one brother Perry Gile (and his wife Margaret); two dear sisters-in-law-Nancy Davis and Elnora Whitney; and numerous loved nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Royal Whitney in 2004, an infant son, her parents, four sisters (Jean Heisley, Aileen Denning, Phyllis Gould, and Marie Nelson), one brother (Glen Gile), ten brothers-in-law, and one sister-in-law.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 408 South 8th Street, Ponca City, Okla. 74601 or to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund at curealz.org. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home