Dr. James M. Whittenberg, M.D., 79, of Chester, passed away at 6:32 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018 at Memorial Hospital, Chester.
He was born to the late Thomas Layman and Bessie Mamie (nee Curtis) Whittenberg on Jan. 6, 1939 in Libertyville, Illinois. He married Wilma Derringer on Nov. 7, 1979 in Wine Hill, Ill.; she survives.
James was a medical doctor in private practice from 1967 to 1987 and then as urgent care director at Carbondale Clinic from 1987 to 2001. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Chester. He was also a member of the Chester Country Club, V.F.W. Post #3553, American Legion Post #487 and Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice. He was one of the organizational members of the Family Practice Residency Program of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. James was an Army Veteran serving as a physician in the Vietnam War.
Survivors include his wife, Wilma Whittenberg of Chester; four children, Kim (Bryan) Cramer of Murphysboro, James Matthew (Shelly) Whittenberg of Murray, Ky.; Jennifer Dawn (Tom) Guthrie of Grass Lake, Mich.; and Kirk Alan (Christine) Whittenberg of Monterey, Calif.; six siblings, Thomas (Sandra) Whittenberg of Phoenix, Arizona, Philip Whittenberg of Tacoma, Wash., Karl (Susan) Whittenberg of Lewes, Delaware, Ruth Walker of Jerseyville, Ill., Elizabeth Whittenberg of Pueblo, Colo., and Karen Fraser El Paso, Texas; eight grandchildren, Amanda Kessler, Tony Cramer, Marisa Whittenberg, Emily Guthrie, Luke Guthrie, Bohdi Whittenberg, Remy Whittenberg and Cade Whittenberg; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Richard Whittenberg.
The funeral service will begin at noon, Wednesday, Oct. 24, at First Baptist Church, Chester, with Dr. Mike Fogerson officiating.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday at First Baptist Church, Chester.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Chester. To view this obituary and sign the register book visit www.wpfh.net.
