Joan W. Whiteleather

Joan W. Whiteleather, 77, of Warren, died Monday, June 22, 2009 at Forum Health - Trumbull Memorial Hospital. She was born August 3, 1931 in Tamaqua, Pa., the daughter of Edward K. and Thelma (Heister) Wooke, and had lived in Warren since 1942.

A 1949 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, Mrs. Whiteleather worked for Thomas Steel in the 1950s before working as a secretary for Warren City Schools, retiring in 1992. A kind and gentle soul, she was a talented painter and illustrator. She enjoyed antiques and collectibles, and loved birds and flowers, which she painted from time to time. She also enjoyed her grandchildren and going to lunch with her friends.

Surviving are her husband, R. Donald Whiteleather, whom she married November 12, 1955; two children, Mark D. (Mary Ann) Whiteleather of Boardman and Susan E. (Tom) Watson of Warren; three grandchildren: Michele Whiteleather, and Thomas and Patrick Watson; a sister, Lorraine (Gil) Peterson of Roseburg, Oregon; and two brothers, Edward K. (Barbara) Wooke of Cumming, Ga. and Charles F. (Jean) Wooke of Statesboro, Ga. Her parents precede her in death.

Friends may call 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 25, 2009 at McFarland & Son Funeral Home. Funeral services will be private. Interment will take place at Crown Hill Burial Park. Material contributions may be made either to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, or the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280, Washington, D.C. 20077-7491.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral Services Co., 271 N. Park Ave. Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandfuneral.com to view this obituary and send condolences.