Karen Ida Whitney
Published June 26, 2026
Quincy
MAY 7, 1945 – JUNE 25, 2026
Karen Ida Whitney, age 81 of Quincy, died on Thursday, July 25, 2026 at Adams Pointe in Quincy.
She was born on May 7, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of John Joseph Wiggins and Dalene Joesphine Thurmine Wiggins.
Karen graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Los Angeles, California in 1963. She attended art classes in Los Angeles, majoring in Art History, prior to meeting Jerry in Long Beach California. On January 15, 1966, she married Jerry Lee Whitney in Monticello, California. He preceded her in death on April 1, 2022.
She was a member of the Salvation Army in Quincy. She was Salvation Army Home League Secretary and Chaplin, volunteer coordinator at the Salvation Army from 1992-1995, and on the SAC Army Corp Council.
Survivors include a daughter Cynthia Ann Whitney of Quincy; six grandchildren, Emily (Corey) Muscavitz, Stephen (Megan) Whitney, Rebecca Gordon, Trevor Gordon, Beth Chriscoe, and Erin Gordon; 11 great-grandchildren, Lillie and Mykela Muscavitz, Hannah and Alyvia Gordon, Abagail Chriscoe, Kessler,Kearney and Ferrah Roberts, and Kendrick, Miles, and Cooper Whitney; several nieces and great-nieces and great-nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Steven John Whitney, two sisters, Mary Lou Wiggins and Janet Miller, and a brother, John Joseph Wiggins, Jr.
Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 30th, 2026 at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
Service: 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
Burial in Shiloh Cemetery, Plainville, Illinois.
Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army Hometown Endowment.
Memorial donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.