Samuel "Gene" Whittington, 89, of Collinsville, Ill., born Sept. 10, 1926, in Centralia, Ill., died Friday, March 4, 2016, at The Arbors, Fairview Heights, Ill.

Mr. Whittington, a WWII U.S. Army veteran, was retired from the Collinsville Unit 10 School district. He had belonged to the Collinsville VFW Post 5691 and was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Collinsville. His hobbies included fishing, gardening, woodworking and watching the St. Louis Cardinals.

Samuel was preceded in death by his loving wife, Arline Margaret, nee Steinmetz, Whittington; his parents, Frank Webb and Elon, nee Shafer, Whittington; brother, David W. Whittington; three sisters, Audrey Wrigley, Ruth Abney and Dorothy Revello.

Surviving are his children, Robert (Anita) Whittington of Highland, Ill., Sherelon "Shere" (Harry) Dapron of Fairview Heights, Ill.; two grandchildren, Shea (Jody) Pintar, Lori Elizabeth Pintar; three great-grandchildren, Ryan, Chase and Kylie.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to St. John United Church of Christ in Collinsville, Ill. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com.

Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, March 7, 2016 at Herr Funeral Home, Collinsville, Ill

Funeral: Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 7, 2016, at the funeral home with Pastor Tony Minear officiating. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery in Collinsville, Ill.