Javene M. Whitley, 83, Wells, Kansas died Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at the Ottawa County Health Center, Minneapolis. Javene was born April 21, 1926 near Lamar, Kansas to Frank and Carrie (Stewart) Sanders.
Javene was a 1943 graduate of Minneapolis High School. On April 24, 1946, she was united in marriage with Leo F. Whitley in Minneapolis. She was a long time member of the Sunset Spiritualist Camp in Wells where she served as a board member for many, many years. Javene was also a 53 year member of the Eastern Star and was a Past Matron of Minerva Chapter in Minneapolis. She was a charter member of the Wells Lions Club and a member of the Daughter of the Nile. Javene taught several years in rural schools. She was a co-partner of Whitley Auto Sales and she retired as the Postmaster at the Wells Post Office.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Leo of the home; her brother, Darrell Sanders and his wife Alean of Wells; her sister, Bonnie Steffen of Wakefield, KS; her brother-in-law Eugene Whitley of Wells; several nieces and nephews that she loved as if they were her own; and a host of very special and dear friends. Javene was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Lela Blomberg; her brother Boyd Sanders; an infant brother; her nephew Melvin Blomberg; and her sister-in-law Irene Keith.
Funeral services will be at 2 P.M. Saturday at Wilson Shields Funeral Home, Minneapolis with the Rev. Charles Cox officiating. Burial will be in the Bennington Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. Friday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7 P.M. to 8 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sunset Spiritualist Church or ESTARL and may be left in care of the funeral home.