Whitney Fearer Morrill was born on May 6, 1937, in Rockford Illinois, to parents Gerald Wilson and Dorothy Burke Fearer.
She graduated from Oregon (Illinois) High School and earned two degrees from Depauw University, a B.A. in 1959 and a B.S.N. in 1979. Upon obtaining a nursing degree, she became an R.N. and began a twenty-year practice at Putnam County Hospital. After this, she practiced at the Johnson-Nichols Clinic in Greencastle for some years.
Whitney was an avid birder–an active member of the Big Walnut Bird Club–and a lover of all animals, especially the many dogs and horses she had over her lifetime. Her favorite place in Greencastle was the Nature Park, where she spent mornings birding and walking with friends for many years. She was also a runner, a cyclist, a mountain-climber and a cross-country skier, spending many vacations in Northern Minnesota and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Whitney was a long-time member of the League of Women Voters and a volunteer worker at several places, including the Humane Society of Putnam County and the Putnam County Library.
Whitney is preceded in death by her parents Gerald and Dorothy, her stepmother Rogene Franklin Fearer, and her brother, William P. Fearer. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, John Morrill, sister Martha Fearer Highsmith (Robert), “sister” Susan VanDuyne (Timothy Rainey), and children Michael Morrill (Annette), Karen Morrill (David Carlson), and Ann Morrill (Milton Ospina). She is also survived by grandchildren Miles Bryan (Nina Feldman), Forrest Bryan, Hazel Bryan, Lucas Ospina, Marlena Ospina, Elliott Morrill (Kelly) and Hannah Ayres (Nolan), and two great-grandchildren, Charles Elliott Morrill and Antonia Opal Bryan. In addition, she is survived by several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
The family greatly appreciates the contributions that Whitney's wonderful caregiver, Suzie McCormick, made to Whitney's quality of life.
There will be a celebration of life this summer in Greencastle.
