Pearle Elizabeth Whiting

Pearle E. Whiting of Corvallis passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2014. In her last days, she was surrounded by family and friends. Pearle was born to Grover and Nettie Wimberly on May 25, 1919, in Rozel, Kansas. She was one of two children. At 17, Pearle married Frank Legg on Aug. 16, 1936, in Lyons, Kansas. They moved to Oregon in 1951. They had two children. Frank passed in 1967, after 31 years of marriage. Fred Lemke arrived on Pearle’s doorstep a few years later. They wed in 1970 and Pearle started raising her second family. Fred passed in 1986, after 16 years of marriage. Russell Whiting courted her until they married in 1991. He passed only six years later, in 1997. Mom always said she was blessed with three wonderful husbands. Pearle worked for 25 years in the veterinary medicine department of Oregon State College. She also had a job at the Philomath Post Office, and her last job was as a desk clerk in Hawley Hall at Oregon State. She enjoyed playing games, cards and reading, until her eyes began failing. While she lived at Conifer House, a large bingo board was made so she could participate. Most of all, Pearle loved to spend time with her family. Our family would like to thank the staff at Conifer House and Benton Hospice Service for their compassion and care of mom. A viewing is set for 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at McHenry Funeral Home. A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at College United Methodist Church in Philomath. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Benton Hospice Service or the church. Pearle’s survivors include children Larry (Margie) Legg of Philomath and Barbara (Bill) Harris of Corvallis; stepchildren Joanne Lemke (Arnie Danielson) of Scappoose, Denise Lemke of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Julia (Robert) Ingram of Albany, Barry (Shirley) Lemke of Reedsport, Suzanne O’Shea of Eugene, Bill Lemke of Butte, Montana, Cathleen (Randy) Wallace of Redmond, Ellen O’Shea of Port Townsend, Washington, Michael (Nita) Lemke of Philomath, Anne (Al) Rasmus of Keizer and Eileene Lemke Kaser of Albany; grandchildren Todd (Heather) Harris, Larry Alan Bergstrom and Debra (Burt) Hunter; step-grandchildren Kandis (Daniel) Hinchberger, Brandon (Brittany) Graves, Jonah and Cheran Knorr, Patricia (Kevin) Robb, Jeremy (Amy) Lemke, Jeremiah Lemke, Jessie (Randy) Sheldon, Anthony (Fiona) Harlan, Jennifer (Mike) McDonnell, Tod Wallace, Michael (Erica) Wallace, Sharmel Wallace, Brook (Brandon) Taylor, Willow (Jeremy) Myrland, George Lemke and Tim Lemke, and Kristen Kaser; great-grandchildren Deven and Sydney Hunter, and Alexa Harris; step-great-grandchildren Mia and Ela Hinchberger, Hunter and Owen Graves, McKayla and Rochelle Johnson, Hannah and Brandon Robb, Payton and Gabriel Sheldon Jr., Jarome, Kyle, Patrick and Fred Lemke, Keely, Cameron, Lisa, Jeremy, Olivia and Dominica Wallace, Piper Taylor, and Pete, Bobby, Calvin, Mike and June Lemke; sister-in-law Jessie Morgan of Philomath; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her three husbands; brother Bud Wimberly; brother-in-law Sherman Morgan; stepchild Paul Lemke; and step-grandchild Jeff Harlan.

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Pearle Elizabeth Whiting

May 25, 1919 - July 26, 2014