VERA M. (GENSON) WHITTINGTON, 90, of Sandusky, Ohio, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2018 at Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky. She was born April 6, 1928 to Roy A. and Mildred C. (Nitschke) Genson in Fremont, OH. Vera graduated from Fremont Ross HS, in 1946.
She trained as an air traffic controller in Omaha, Nebraska, then returned to Fremont. Vera worked for the Grapette Soda Company, then Cussins and Fern Hardware store, where she met Wilbur L. Whittington, of Baltimore, Ohio. They married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fremont in 1949.
Vera later worked at the Catawba Island Club, Port Clinton, Ohio. Throughout her life Vera volunteered and served in several Lutheran churches in Cambridge, OH; St. John’s in Zanesville, OH; St. John’s in Fremont, OH; Peace Lutheran in Port Clinton, OH; and Resurrection in Avon Park,FL; and Trinity Lutheran in Bradenton, Florida, Grace Episcopal Church in Sandusky, OH, as a fundraiser to pay off church mortages and buy new stained glass windows; liturgical assistant, delegate to Conferences, and Sunday School teacher. She sang in weddings, choirs, played handbells, baked and decorated cakes for church and family functions.
Vera was also an avid fan of Sandusky Blue Streaks. She passed on her love of travel to her children, visiting Florida, Hawaii and Europe. She enjoyed sewing and was a voracious reader of historical novels.
Surviving Vera are her 5 children: Cheryl Zirkelbach (J. Eric) of Evansville, IN; Thomas R. Whittington of Lancaster, Ohio; Elaine Howey of Sandusky, John R. Whittington (Mary Beth) of Columbus, Ohio; and Andrew G. Whittington (Ceri) of Georgetown, KY. Vera was loved and cherished by her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Mike Franklin (Sarah) of Sandusky with Molly, Tyler, and Michael Franklin; Lauren Pfleiderer of Sandusky; Matthew Zirkelbach (Danessa) with Madeline and Maxwell of Fairview, NC; Christina Zirkelbach (Anderson) Weightman of Evansville, IN, with Ashden and Austin; Samuel Waits, U.S. Navy with Heather Louise; Aaron Whittington (Emily) with Hannah, Haleigh, Henry, Harlen, Javier, and Aaron Juan Whittington; Daniel Whittington of Bellingham, WA; Emily and David Whittington of Georgetown, KY.
Vera is survived by 2 sisters, Colleen Doren (Dean), Avon Park, FL and Faye Bunn (David) of Sebring, FL. In addition to her parents, Vera was preceded in death by her sister Shirley Sherman (Dick) of Avon Park, FL. ; mother in law, Rev.
Mabel Marie (George) Whittington Poling of Baltimore, OH; ex-husband Wilbur L. Whittington of Sandusky, OH; and several Nitschke family relatives. A Celebration of Life Service will be held July 14 at 11:00am at Grace Episcopal Church, 315 Wayne St., Sandusky. Rev.
Jan Smith Wood will officiate. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Erie County’s Serving our Seniors, 310 E. Boalt St., Sandusky, OH 44870. Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave.
, Sandusky is handling the arrangements. Condolences and gifts of sympathy may be made to the family by visiting toftfuneralhome.com.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
