Martha Jean Williams McClintock Whiteman, 97, of Monmouth, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at her home.
Martha was born on February 25, 1929, at Swan Creek, Illinois, to George W. and Ruth R. (Raymond) Williams. She spent her formative years in Swan Creek, Good Hope, Bardolph, Youngstown, and Prairie City, Illinois, before graduating as salutatorian from Prairie City High School in 1946 at the age of 17.
She then moved to Monmouth, where she lived the remainder of her life. She was employed at Monmouth Hospital before working as secretary for the Warren County Superintendent of Highways, serving under T.J. Bonderer. She later was a teacher’s assistant at Warren Achievement Center and for several years was the owner/broker of McClintock Realty.
Martha met her first husband, Robert W. McClintock of Newburgh, New York, while he was a student at Monmouth College. They were married on January 29, 1949, in Indianapolis, Indiana. They had five sons, Greg, Bob, Ron, Doug, and Barry. Robert W. McClintock died on January 28, 1983.
Martha was blessed to find love a second time with Ralph E. Whiteman of Monmouth. They were married on September 7, 1986, in Monmouth, and enjoyed nearly 40 years of an active and healthy life. Ralph, known as G-Pa, was the only grandfather that most of Martha’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew.
She was deeply involved in the Monmouth community, attending college and high school games, volunteering at charitable events, and participating in area concerts, shows, and family functions. She served as a board member of Warren Achievement Center for six years and served on the boards of the Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Warren County United Way. She was an active member of Chapter E of the P.E.O., a charter member of the Today’s Women Investment Club, the OGM Social Club, the Board of Realtors, and the Monmouth Landlord Association.
Martha was an avid and accomplished golfer and member of the Monmouth Country Club for more than 70 years. She greatly enjoyed playing bridge in several bridge clubs, loved making quilts for each grandchild and great-grandchild, spent time bicycling with the Cycling Cysters, and could be found having coffee nearly every morning with a group of good friends.
She was a dedicated member of Faith United Presbyterian Church for more than 70 years, where she served as an ordained elder, a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and a volunteer with the youth program, Wednesday Night Live.
Survivors include her husband, Ralph E. Whiteman; her children, Greg (Irene) McClintock, Doug (Karen) McClintock, and Barry (Theresa) McClintock; nine grandchildren, Scott (Jill) McClintock, Kate (Josh) Gillam, Molly (Bill) Parsons, Ryan (Amy) McClintock, Randy (Christie) McClintock, Rachel (John) D’Amico, Ricky McClintock, Rob (Melissa) McClintock, and Colton (Jessie) McClintock; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. From her marriage to Ralph, she also has four step-children, Cyndy Ruszkowski, Laurie Seymour, Cheri Whiteman, and Rob Whiteman; seven step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Rhonda McClintock; sister-in-law Linda Williams; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Robert W. McClintock; her sons Robert B. McClintock and Ron McClintock; and her brothers Gale Williams and Leo Williams.
A Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Faith United Presbyterian Church, Monmouth. Interment will be at Monmouth Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, March 20, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth. Memorials may be given to Faith United Presbyterian Church or Warren Achievement Center and sent to the funeral home. For more information or to leave an online condolence, visit mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.