Hirmaline M. Whitney

Hirmaline Malvina Copenhaver Dicks Whitney, age 101, of Hannibal, MO passed away at 6:50 am Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Beth Haven Nursing Home.  

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.  Rev. Frank Whitney will officiate. Burial will be in the Grand View Burial Park. 

Visitation celebrating Hirmaline's life will be held at 10:00 am until the time of the service Wednesday at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel. 

Mrs. Whitney was born on July 17, 1920, in Shelby County to Marcus Elmer and Mary Kate O’Neal Copenhaver. 

Hirmaline was first married to Leo G. Dicks on Dec. 9, 1938, in Montgomery City, MO. He preceded her in death on June 30, 1980. She later married John A. Whitney on Nov. 6, 1982, and he preceded her in death on July 21, 2009.

Survivors include her children, Gary Dicks (Ruth Cowden) of Hannibal, MO, Janice Sinclair (Floyd) of New London, MO, Jerry L. Whitney (Karen) of Quincy, IL, E. Frank Whitney (Shelly) of New Bloomfield, MO and Deanna Schisler (John) of Camp Point, IL; sisters-in-law, Doris Copenhaver of Monroe City, MO and Laverne Dicks of Columbia, MO; eleven grandchildren, Meredith Herbert (Brad), Danielle Sigler, Brian Sinclair (Kara), Lora Darrah (Clark), Cindy Whitney, Bill Schisler (Julie), Matt Whitney, Tamara Parry (Dustin), Robert Strong (Hannah), Craig Whitney (Hope) and Tracy Reynolds (Patrick); numerous great and great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands; four sisters, Estell Fry, Fern Tracy, Florence Shepherd, Dorothy Feaster; three brothers, Kenneth Copenhaver, Eugene Copenhaver and Irvin “Buck” Copenhaver; grandson, Stephen Whitney and special friend, Jerri White. 

Mrs. Whitney worked at Western Printing, Country Kitchen and Mark Twain Supply Co.

Family was Hirmaline's pride and joy.  Many of her family knew her as "Hirmy".  She cherished family gatherings, playing table games, bowling, fishing and playing basketball with her family.

Hirmaline was a member of the RSVP for over thirty years.  She enjoyed volunteering at the Hannibal Nutrition Center, attending senior dances at the armory, ringing bells for the Salvation Army and volunteering at area nursing homes.  She was known for her hand knitted gifts that she donated to area charities around Hannibal.  In her younger years, she enjoyed gardening, canning and cooking.  Her family will always cherish her famous "Chicken & Noodles" that she made with love for them.

Mrs. Whitney was a longtime member of New London First Baptist Church and at the time of her death was the oldest member of the church.

Pallbearers will be Brian Sinclair, Matt Whitney, Meredith Herbert, Lora Darrah, Danielle Sigler, Robert Strong, Tamara Parry and Dustin Parry. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, in care of the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on Hirmaline's memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com  

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