Eleanor Whisenhunt

Eleanor Whisenhunt passed away peacefully on Monday, January 26, 2009, at the age of 76. She was born on March 17, 1932, to Fred and Bernice Hochreiter, in the small town of Walters, Minnesota where she resided and married Don Wakey in 1954. The two then moved to California with Eleanor's daughter Sandy and soon after their son James C. Wakey was born. In her later years she met and married Vonnie "Diz" Whisenhunt. Embraced by his new family, Diz provided for Eleanor and her two children.

Eleanor spent the last several years at home being cared for by her daughter Sandy and son-in-law, Steve Sanders after her brain surgery eleven years ago. Although she had succumbed to her illness and recently Alzheimer's, amazingly enough Eleanor was always in good spirits. She never wanted to be an inconvenience and always wanted others to be happy, especially that of her granddaughter Nicole, and her great-grandson Ryan.

Eleanor will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Eleanor spent 30 years working as a waitress in Fig Garden Village at a restaurant then known as Pardini's which changed hands to Borrelli's. She then later retired from Bellanties. Eleanor made many friends and cherished all of the memories she had during those years.

Eleanor is preceded in death by her late husband Vonnie "Diz" Whisenhunt to whom she was married to for 39 years. Diz died and was buried near his ranch in Salem, Arkansas. She is also preceded in death by her son, James C. Wakey.

Eleanor is survived by her daughter, Sandy Sanders and her husband Steve; granddaughter, Nicole "Nicki" Adame and her husband David; her great-grandson, Ryan Adame, who always brought a sparkle to her eyes; granddaughter, Danielle Wakey; her brother, Curtis Hochreiter and his wife Lana; sister, Marlys Reed and her husband Richard and extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns and Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, January 29, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A Celebration of Eleanor's Life will be held at Belmont Memorial Park on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 1:00 p.m.

WHITEHURST, SULLIVAN, BURNS & BLAIR FUNERAL HOME 1525 E. Saginaw Way Fresno, Ca. (559)227-4048