Janalee Whippler Ravitts

JANALEE WHIPPLER RAVITTS, 52 On 30 April 2008, in Aurora, Colorado, Janalee Ravitts was suddenly summoned away into Heaven from Aurora Medical Center, by means of a massive and completely unforeseeable heart attack, to receive the reward of her faith in Jesus Christ. Born Janalee Green in Kewanee, Illinois, on 3 November 1955, she attended Maud Johnson School, Lincoln Middle School and East High School in Rockford. She was married to Richard Whippler from 1975 through 1999, working as a banker for part of this time. Her life was radically changed in April of 2001, when a reckless driver forced her into a near-fatal traffic accident. Upon emerging from a coma, she was to spend the rest of her earthly life heroically struggling against multiple disabilities. Her cheerful spirit rose above her physical pains; anytime someone said to her ""God bless you,"" she would reply, ""He has, He does, and He will."" On 8 October 2005, Janalee married a past acquaintance, Joseph R. Ravitts, who was then in the U. S. Navy, nearing retirement. Janalee lived with Joseph in Maryland, and then in Colorado, where she loved seeing the God-given beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Despite her handicaps which sometimes kept her in a wheelchair, Janalee frequently knitted baby blankets, caps, mittens and booties to be donated to poor families. Everywhere she went, people were captivated by her pure, gentle personality. Her departure from this world has made Heaven itself more beautiful. ""In the sweet bye-and-bye, we will meet on that beautiful shore."" Survivors include her husband, Joseph R. Ravitts, Aurora, CO; daughters, Bethany (Ron) Hull, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, Jana (David) Heckman, Lexington, KY, Natalie (Taka) Iguchi, Rockford and Melissa (Tim) Schroeder, LaCrosse, WI; grandchildren, Ian, Audrey, Emma, Jena Leigh, Hope, Olivia, Ava, Brooklyn and Kaia. Also survived by her mother, June (Robert) May; brother Rick (Libby) Green; sisters, Jeanna Lynn Green and Jillanne (Allan) Lenius; nieces and nephews, Justin, Breanne, Jordan and Samantha and her step-daughter, Annemarie (Anthony) Martinez. Predeceased by her father and her brother, Scott Allen Green. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2008 in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with Rev. Kevin Johnson officiating. Burial in Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation from 1:00 p.m. until time of the service on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.