On Saturday, January 7, 2023, Milton Ray Whitten of Manteno, loving husband and father of four, passed away at the age of 92.
Milton “Ray” was born in Mount Carmel on April 6,1930, to Eunice Marie and Milton Virgil Whitten. While attending Mt. Carmel High School, he was the class salutatorian, lettered in both basketball and football, and was awarded an athletic scholarship to Southern Illinois University (SIU).
Ray graduated from SIU with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1951, received a Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois in 1961, and a Ph.D. in Education Administration from SIU in 1970.
He began working at age seven, along with his father, delivering ice to homes, first by horse-drawn carriage and then by truck. His teaching career began in Mt. Carmel, continued in Momence, as a junior high math and science teacher, then on to Beecher Elementary as a teacher and coach. His educational administration career began as principal at Beecher Elementary, then as principal at Crete Elementary and Junior High School. He concluded his full-time career in education at School District 194 in Steger, as assistant superintendent for six years, followed by the superintendency, in the same district, for 16 years. Not having had enough, Ray served as an educational consultant to a variety of central Illinois school districts for many post-retirement years.
Ray served his community in the National Guard, as a member of the Crete Lions and South Chicago Heights Kiwanis clubs, and as an active volunteer at the Veterans Home in Manteno. His greatest joys were spending time with family, including family reunions, reading, playing cards, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs. Especially throughout his retirement years, he cherished gathering unique and collectable art, sculptures, artistic glass, and furniture to make a beautiful home with Marcella, the love of his life and wife of 50-plus years.
Ray is survived by sons Sam (Kim) of Odessa, Florida, Tom (Elayne) of Ellaville, Georgia, Mark (Charlotte) of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Steve of Gulfport, Mississippi; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Melva Jean Reeve of Vincennes, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marcella (Stadt); parents, Milton and Eunice Whitten; and sisters, Frances Baily and Doris Barnett.
The family will be forever grateful to the many angels who provided great care and shared joy with Ray in his later years, including Val Turner, Joe Gonzales, Angela Gonzales, and Rose Cuatepotzo.
A celebration of his life, to be held in the spring, will be announced later. Memorials may be made to the Manteno Veteran’s Home in Manteno, or any organization of the donor’s choice.