Leila Whitinger
Leila Lee Whitinger, of Charlotte, Michigan, died on October 7, 2022. Leila was born on March 3, 1941, to Elwood Edward and Eunice May (Fladeboe) Whitinger in Charlotte. She was the fourth child of a talented family of six, with piano and percussion, tumbling and dance as her specialties. Leila graduated from CHS, then attended and graduated from Valley State College in North Dakota in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree. The college was near her mother’s family, so she was able to soak up her family heritage with aunts, uncles and cousins. As she was from a family of lifelong learners, she followed up by obtaining a Master of Arts Degree in 1976 from MSU. Leila had a fulfilling career as a teacher at Charlotte High School, Grayling High School, and DeWitt Middle School; was a field representative with the Minnesota Education Association; and a member of many different committees. Leila took her political views very seriously, being a member of the Michigan Democratic Committee in Detroit, Ingham County Democratic Committee, and Clinton County Democratic Committee, and her teaching expertise as well, with Professional Staff Association, National Curriculum Association, Minnesota History Society, and National Audubon Society. Leila enchanted students with her science classes and found a lesson to teach wherever she was. She formed many lifelong friendships with her teacher friends and had a large extended family.
Leila is survived by her sister, Wilma Campbell; brother, John (Sue) Whitinger; brother-in-law, Paul Congleton; nieces and nephews, Brian, Sue, Sara, Julie, Steve, Robert, Ed, Lori, Andy, Mary Jo, Jodie, Rob, Amy, Angel, Lisa and Nick, all of whom felt as though they were the favorite; and another long list of great-nephews and nieces; many cousins, and many very special friends.
She was predeceased by her parents; sisters, Lucille Tuckey, Marion Whitinger, and Linda Silvas; brothers-in-law, Norman Campbell and Matt Silvas; nephew, Daniel Tuckey.
Friends are encouraged to support Leila’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Wednesday, October 26, 2022, from 1:00–2:00 p.m. with a celebration of Leila’s life following at 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Leila’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Minnesota Historical Society, the National Audubon Society or a charity of your choice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.