Anna Jule (Donovan) Whitmer

Anna Jule (Donovan) Whitmer, age 100, of Louisville, OH passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December, 20, 2022 at her daughter’s home in Alliance, OH. She was born September 14, 1922 in Akron, OH to the late Thomas and Ethel (Thompson) Donovan. Anna Jule was a 1941 graduate of Louisville High School and then graduated from the Mercy School of Nursing as an RN. She was a long-time member of St. Louis Catholic Church in Louisville. She joined the Girl Scouts (as a troop leader) in 1953. She was a charter member of the Order of Silver Trefoil and received the “Thanks Badge” and “St. Ann’s Award,” which are the highest Girl Scout honors for volunteer work. Anna Jule was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a member of the VFW, DAV, DAR, 8 and 40, the Louisville Constitution Committee (since 1963) and the Louisville-Nimishillen Historical Society. She also did volunteer work for many years with Girl’s Staters, Flower Girls, and the Canton VA Clinic for 28 years. She was awarded the George Washington Medal of Honor by the Valley Forge Freedom Foundation, The Louisville Rotary Citizen of the Year in 1975, Louisville Hall of Achievement in 2011, and Honorary Constitution Parade Marshall in 2022. Along with Marion Dwyer Masterson, she was the first drum major for the LHS Band.

Anna Jule was preceded in death by her husband, Merritt (Bob) Whitmer, in 1988; her sister, Louise Dengler, three brothers, Donald, Leo and Eddie Donovan and a son-in-law, Dale Tuel. She is survived by two daughters, Patricia Tuel, Jo-Ann (Brad) Winkleman; a son, James (Kathy) Whitmer; six grandchildren, Charlie (Bethanne) Tuel, Rhonda (Jon) Stark, Andrew Whitmer, Julie (Chris) Bowe, Kyle Winkleman, Dacey Winkleman; nine great-grandchildren, Holly (Tyler), Aly, Brandon, Paisley, Paden, Savannah, AJ, Brendan, and Brittany; several step-great-grandchildren and a previous grandson-in-law, who remains a family friend, Rodney Martin.

Funeral services will be 11am Tuesday (12/27) at Stier-Israel Funeral Home in Louisville with Fr. Joe Witmer officiating. Calling hours will be 5-7pm Monday (12/26) evening and 10-11am Tuesday morning at the funeral home. Anna Jule will be laid to rest, beside her husband, in St. Louis Parish Cemetery, Louisville, OH. Memorial donations may be made to the Louisville Community Cupboard, PO Box 84, Louisville, OH 44641. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.stierisraelfuneralhome.com

                                    Stier-Israel Funeral Home 330-875-1414

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