Margaret Clark Whitmer

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Margaret Evelyn Clark Whitmer, 91, of Nixa, Mo., formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Saturday, April 6, 2019 in Springfield, Mo.

Margaret, the daughter of the late James William and Hildred E. Smith Clark, was born March 20, 1928, in Poplar Bluff. She grew up in Sacred Heart Parish and attended Sacred Heart School where her grandfather was one of the first school teachers when the school opened in 1916. Margaret graduated from Poplar Bluff High School. She was a remarkable woman who while raising her family maintained her own career as an accountant and bookkeeper. Margaret was a mentor to all who knew her, including her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Her family was her life and she enjoyed, loved and protected them.

Her paternal great-grandparents moved to Poplar Bluff with their eight children in 1894 from Ponder, Mo., where they were active in St. Benedict’s Parish in Doniphan and one of the earliest families at Sacred Heart Church in Poplar Bluff. Her maternal grandfather, Calvin Smith, was the first fire chief of Poplar Bluff.

After she married Allen Whitmer on May 12, 1946, in Poplar Bluff, they lived throughout the state of Missouri while he served in the Missouri Highway Patrol, rising through the ranks from patrolman all the way to Colonel (Superintendent) of the Patrol. An accomplishment that he would readily acknowledge was achieved in large part because of her love and support being at his side through that entire journey. After their years of service to the Patrol they enjoyed their retirement in Homosassa, Fla.

Margaret is survived by four children, James William “Bill” Whitmer (Janet) of Festus, Mo., Judy G. Walton (Tom) of Spring Hill, Tenn., Allen S. Whitmer, Jr. (Elizabeth) of Nixa, Mo., and Mary Margaret Shockley (Michael) of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; eleven grandchildren; twenty five great-grandchildren; a sister, Elizabeth Ann Clark, of Poplar Bluff; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Margaret was also predeceased by her husband, Colonel Allen S. Whitmer, Sr., a brother, Joe W. Clark, and a sister Patricia Longhibler.

Visitation will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 10 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church celebrated by Father Simon Enudu. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to MASTERS (Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society), 5287 Highway 67 North, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901. This was formed in 1979 for the purpose of establishing an entirely voluntary benevolent fund for the financial aid of a trooper’s immediate family members if he or she is killed in the line of duty.

Cotrell Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Margaret Evelyn Clark Whitmer; online condolences at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com

Paid