Wesley Whiteside's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Wesley C. Whiteside, age 87 of rural Charleston, nationally recognized botanist and retired Botany Professor at Eastern Illinois University passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. His Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:30 a.m. until service time. It is requested that thoughtful donations in his honor be made to the E.I.U. Foundation - Wesley Whiteside Gardens and mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Wesley was born on August 22, 1927 in Moline, IL, a son of Cecil L. and C. Faye (Zahn) Whiteside. He is survived by a sister, Marilyn Butler (Virgil) of Heyworth, Illinois; three nieces, Elizabeth Butler (late Gary DeLost) of Bloomington, Illinois, Margo Copeland (late Robert) of Tavernier, Florida and Mary Johnson (Terry) of Milan, Illinois; four nephews, Jeffry Butler (Pat) of Aurora, Illinois, Frederic Whiteside (Cathie) of Rock Island, Illinois, Russell Whiteside (Leann) of Milan, Illinois, and Richard Whiteside (Michelle) of Muscateen, Iowa; and a sister-in-law, Flora Whiteside of Reynolds, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Frederic. Early in his life, Wesley was introduced to nature on his family's farm and apple orchard near Rock Island, Illinois. In the eighth grade, he "just decided that what I wanted to do was work with plants." Following his graduation from Coal Valley (Illinois) High School, he continued his education and earned an Associate Degree from an institution of higher learning now known as Blackhawk College. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Augustana College in Rock Island. After serving for two years in the United States Navy during the Korean War, he received a Master's Degree in Botany from the University of Illinois and his PhD from Florida State University. His teaching career began at a junior college in Tacoma Park, Maryland. Through a former colleague, he was made aware of openings at both Eastern Illinois University and Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. He chose Eastern, interviewed and made the decision to accept the position because of his attraction to Eastern's Botany Department. After coming to Eastern as an Assistant Professor of Botany in the autumn of 1960, he was on the lookout for real estate, particularly a small, rural acreage with a creek and a wooded area. Eventually he found a property in 1962, but it would require him to create the woods. With his interest, education, love for plants & woods, Whiteside Gardens began its rise to reality. The garden features over 300 varieties of late-blooming daylilies, some of which include his hybridized varieties. He has received national attention for his success and expertise in the late-blooming daylilies as well as his research and work with Magnolia and Ben Franklin Trees. The Ben Franklin Tree is very rare, and one flourishes today in his garden. His students were the grateful beneficiaries of his knowledge and his wonderful ability to communicate in an enthusiastic manner. Upon Wesley's retirement in 1987, he became involved with the Coles County Historical Society, particularly in hosting the Garden Ramble fund raiser, which became an annual well-attended, successful event. His knowledge of the plant species found at his garden is invaluable. The Whiteside Garden is in transition, soon to become a public access garden managed by Eastern Illinois University as Dr. Whiteside has gifted his garden to the school. It is unmatched as a local botanical research and educational resource. His contributions to the Charleston community are not limited to his gardens. He has also been active in the Historic Preservation Advisory Council through the Coles County Regional Planning Commission, the Fox Ridge Foundation Board of Directors and was instrumental in the revival of the Charleston Tree Commission. Wesley has given us a garden to cherish and a personal relationship that many will vividly remember.Click to view Wesley's memorial video.
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