Jackie Whillans

Jacquelyn Devona Whillans journeyed into the loving arms of Jesus on Thursday, March 19, 2020, in Springfield, Missouri.

She was born on March 13, 1951 in Springfield, Missouri, to Jack and Norma Whillans. She graduated from Glendale High School in 1969 and from Southwest Missouri State University in 1974. She went on to become a loving and dedicated teacher in Galena, Branson, and Springfield Public Schools. After taking early retirement, she was a substitute teacher for the Springfield Catholic Schools. Her teaching career spanned beyond over twenty-six years and she many times said teaching was a hobby rather than work. In her twenty-six year teaching career, she encountered many loving students and parents. She had many hobbies and interests during her lifetime, including taking care of her basset-hounds (six during her lifetime), traveling, gardening, decorating her home, going to the ocean, and flying airplanes. She was confirmed as a Roman Catholic during the Easter Vigil in April of 2000 and was a faithful loving member of St. Agnes Parish. Jackie loved St. Agnes Parish and became very involved. Her involvement included volunteering in the St. Agnes Parish office, becoming a Eucharistic Minister, becoming a Sponsor for incoming new Catholics, and giving Communion to the homebound. She especially loved her basset hound dogs during her lifetime. She often said they looked so sad like they needed someone to love them and love them she certainly did.

Jackie was preceded in death by her father Jack Ellis Whillans, who lost his life as a test pilot in the Navy in 1951, her mother, Norma J. Burns; Stepfather, Dr. Tom Burns; Grandmother, Joy Gile, and her loving Grandfather Arley Vest.

She is survived by a loving, faithful friend Cathy Konicek, of Gainesville, Florida; her dearest, faithful friends, Mary Welsh and Karen Chandler, both of Springfield; John Gile of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, many cousins spread all over the world, many loving students throughout her teaching career, many friends, and her beloved basset-hound, Sunny.

A Private Funeral Mass will be held in St. Agnes Cathedral with burial following at Resurrection Cemetery.

Jackie wishes to thank all the wonderful care givers and physicians that took care of her in the last few years of life, with special thanks to Dr. John D. Baurichter, who was her doctor for over 25 years, to Mercy Hospice in Springfield, Dr. Bandura, Dr. K, nurses Carla, Brittany, Kathy, and Melissa, and Fresenius Kidney Dialysis.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America, Ozark Chapter: 1238 S. Belcrest Ave. Springfield, MO 65804; St. Agnes Cathedral: 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806; the Basset-Hound Rescue Fund or Humane Society of Springfield, MO.