Long-time Phillipsburg resident, Darlene Rosella Whittlesey, passed away January 6, 2011 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, KS at the age of 80 years.
She was born February 10, 1930 on a farm east of Kensington, Kansas to Roy and Minnie Keef.

Darlene grew up in Glade, Kansas and moved to Phillipsburg with her family in 1941, where she graduated from Phillipsburg High School and began a career as a waitress and cook in the local restaurants of Phillipsburg.

She married Wayne H. Whittlesey on September 15, 1953, and the couple was blessed with six children: three sons and three daughters.

Besides a short time living in Lajunta, Colorado, Darlene and Wayne raised their children and worked in Phillipsburg. After Darlene retired, she spent most of her time enjoying her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; seven siblings; her husband, Wayne; one daughter, Ethel; one grandson, Christopher; and a special friend, T. A. Bennett.

Survivors include her children: Orrie Whittlesey of Dell City, OK; Susan Smith & husband, Lewis, of Phillipsburg, KS; Jim Whittlesey of Belton, MO; Rick Whittlesey of Phillipsburg, KS; and Jan Heersink & husband, John, of Wamego, KS; two sisters, Florence Fowler of Phillipsburg and Donna Keef of Orleans, NE; 15 grandchildren,3 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Monday, January 10, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Rick Calvert officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Mrs. Whittlesey will lie in-state Saturday from 5-9 p.m., Sunday from noon – 9 p.m. and again Monday until service time at the funeral home in Phillipsburg. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 4-6 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be given to Teens for Christ, the Wesleyan Church, or the Assembly of God Church.