Jeannine Freeman Whitmer’s passion was caring for others. This desire was demonstrated by her chosen profession of being a nurse and her tender and dedicated lifetime of care for Glen, her special needs son. She was the second daughter of Rial and Faun (Standifird) Freeman, born in July 1930 in Taylor, Arizona. On the first of March at age 91, she left this life to join her husband Delbert and son Glen.
Jeannine had a wonderful childhood growing up in Taylor and Snowflake, Arizona. At age 11, her family moved into the home her father built next door to her grandparents on Main Street in Snowflake. She was very close to her Grandpa and Grandma Freeman and would visit them every day after school. Jeannine also loved going to visit her Grandad Standifird and her uncles and aunts in Taylor. These visits were filled with learning, laughter and music.
Jeannine contracted rheumatic fever three times during her life which may have been another factor in her desire to become a nurse. She graduated from Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in 1952. She took great pride in being a registered nurse and worked off and on throughout her life.
Jeannine was introduced to Delbert Whitmer by her Uncle Jack (Speed). He proposed to her at the Grand Canyon and they married in September 1953 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. After living in California for the first few years of their marriage, Jeannine and Delbert moved to Phoenix where they raised their six children. When Delbert retired in 1985, they moved with their children Glen and Wanda to Central, Arizona. Jeannine was very happy and made many close friends in Central.
She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved to serve others – especially those in need. Jeannine oversaw compassionate service for her ward (congregation) for 14 years, a calling she “dearly loved.” She was also a champion and advocate for the mentally disabled and served as the president and teacher for the Phoenix Metro Area Primary (children’s organization of the Church) for disabled children for about 15 years. In addition, she served for 4 ½ years on the Graham County Rehabilitation Center Board in roles such as president, vice-president and secretary.
Jeannine will be missed by her family. She is survived by: her children and their spouses, Mark Whitmer (Candy Vincent), Lamar Whitmer (Colleen London), Delynn Bodine (William “Butch”), Lon Whitmer (Raechel) and Wanda Thompson (Richard); fifteen grandchildren; and twenty-four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marilyn Clonts and Sally McRay; and a brother, Stan Freeman. Jeannine was preceded in death by: her husband, Delbert; a son, Glen; a grandson, Jordan; and great-grandson Nicholas.
Funeral services for Jeannine will be conducted Saturday morning, March 12, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at the Old Central Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Bishop Bill Windsor of the Central First Ward. Concluding services will follow in the Old Central Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday morning, March 12, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., at the Old Central Chapel Relief Society Room of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Those who would like to attend the services via Facebook Live can join on Vining Funeral Home’s Facebook page, Saturday morning, March 12, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. (MST).
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
