Loretta K. Small passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at the Wilson
Care and Rehabilitation Center in Wilson, KS, at the age of 51. She was
born on October 2, 1969, to Jesse and Melba (Kindlesparger) Whitmer in
Ellsworth, Kansas.
Loretta was a lifetime resident of Wilson. She attended Wilson High
School and graduated with the Class of 1987. She went on to receive her
Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development from Barton Community
College in 1990. She then returned home to Wilson and married Jerry
Small at the United Methodist Church in Wilson in 1990. She loved
spending time with Jerry, and anything outdoors such as hunting,
fishing, or being at the lake.
Loretta started work for Eschbaugh
Advertising as a Screen Press Operator and later went to work for her
husband’s Smoky Hill Body Shop. Loretta beat Hodgkin’s Disease but was
in a debilitating boat wreck in 2002 that left her disabled and took
Jerry’s life. Although the wreck left her paralyzed, it didn’t dull her
shine. She could tell you exactly how she felt with her expressions. She
never ceased to smile when younger children were around or let her
family know that she loved their company.
Loretta leaves behind her siblings, Patty Miller of Wilson, Jeanetta
(Albert) Schendel of Baldwin City, KS, Terry (Debbie) Whitmer of
Wilson, Leroy (Sue) Whitmer of Halstead, KS, and Nelson Whitmer of
Wilson.
She joins in paradise her parents, Jesse and Melba Whitmer; husband,
Jerry Small; brother, Robert Whitmer; a niece, Michelle Whitmer;
nephews, Michael and Danny Whitmer; brother-in-law, Fred Miller; and
sisters-in-law, Carol Whitmer and Kathy Whitmer.
There will be private family services. Visitation will be open to
the public on Saturday, January 16, 2021, from 5 PM until 7 PM at
Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Wilson. Masks are encouraged upon entry
to the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the Wilson Care and Rehab and may be sent
in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO BOX 533, Wilson, KS 67490.