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1929 Richard 2014

Richard Whittington

November 28, 1929 — April 9, 2014

Richard Oren Whittington, 84, of Grayslake passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. He was born on November 28, 1929 in South Bend Indiana. He married Mary Vargas on September 5, 1959 in Waukegan. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Whittington; three sons, Bruce (Kari) Whittington, Dave (Robin Van Sickel) Whittington and Danny (Tina) Whittington; four grandchildren, Crystal (Jesse) Chammaro, Grace, Danny and Sarah Whittington. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oren and Edna Whittington and brother and sister-in-law, Ronald (Patricia) Whittington.
Dick served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951-1953 earning a Decorated Bronze Star and the UN Service Medal. He graduated from Waukegan High School in 1948 and then graduated from Lake Forest College in 1959. He worked at Abbott Labs as a Biochemist for 38 years, retiring in 1985, and was a recipient of the Presidential Award in 1980. Among his many accomplishments at Abbott, he created the vaccines for Hepatitis A, B, & D, as well as the test for HIV. He is listed in the Who's Who in America for these accomplishments. He also worked for Grayslake as Director of Environmental Services for 10 years, and set up the first drop-off recycling in Lake County. He was also a Grayslake Volunteer Police Officer part-time during the 1960's. Dick was a charter member of Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church since 1962 and assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 73 from 1973-1980. He enjoyed camping, golfing, bowling and wood crafts.
Visitation will be on Sunday, April 13, 2014 from 2-6pm at Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, 285 E. Washington St., Grayslake, IL 60030. Funeral services are Monday, April 14, 2014 at 10am at the church with The Rev. Kris D. H. Ferkin officiating. Entombment will follow at Warren Cemetery & Mausoleum, Gurnee. There will be a reception at the church following the entombment at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mission Endowment Fund at Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church.

Visitation Details

Sunday, April 13th, 2014 2:00pm - 6:00pm, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church

Service Details

Monday, April 14th, 2014 10:00am, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church

Interment Details

Warren Cemetery & Mausoleum

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