Mynatte Whisler

(From Knell Mortuary)

Mynatte Maxine (Kennedy) Whisler, age 89, passed peacefully from this life into eternal life with her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on March 17, 2017 while in care at ManorCare in Springfield, MO.

Mynatte was born on December 31, 1927 near Schell City, MO and made her profession of faith as a young girl. She graduated from Schell City High School in 1945 and from Southwest Baptist College in 1947 in Bolivar, MO where she met Clarence Whisler. They were united in marriage in 1948, and from this union two children were born: Stephen Mark and Mary Maxine. Years later Mynatte taught school in a two-room schoolhouse near Edina in Shelby County, MO. Thereafter she served as bookkeeper for Carthage Water and Electric in Carthage, MO from 1970 until her retirement in 1991. She served as Sunday School teacher and occasionally as pianist at First Baptist Church, Carthage where she and Clarence were faithful members for 40 years before they moved to Springfield, MO in 2010 to be nearer to their immediate family. They were active members at South Haven Baptist Church and resided at The Fremont until 2015 when the effects of dementia required skilled nursing care for Mynatte.

She enjoyed playing the piano, solving crossword puzzles, spending time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and cooking and baking for family, friends, and neighbors as she had the gift of hospitality.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Clarence Whisler; her children and their spouses, Stephen Whisler and wife Barbara of Springfield, and Mary Layman and husband Russ of Hampstead, NC; her twin sister Marye Holley and her husband Dale; four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Don W. Kennedy and Cleta B. Kennedy, and by her brother, the Honorable Don Kennedy.

Visitation will be held 10:00-11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Knell Mortuary. Memorial services will follow the visitation at 11 a.m. Rev. Ron Franklin will officiate. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date. Memorial gifts are suggested to the Whisler Family Scholarship Fund in care of Southwest Baptist University, 1600 University Ave, Bolivar, MO 65613. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.