Jean Elizabeth Whittaker, 83, of New Castle passed away the night of Jan. 1, 2012 in Palm Springs, CA.Born Dec. 7, 1928 in Cleveland, OH, she was the daughter of William and Verna Helman Abram.Jean married Richard E. Whittaker on Sept. 7, 1988. He survives. She graduated from Cleveland State University and then worked in the human resources department at Leaseway Transportation in Cleveland. Jean was a member of the Lawrence County Garden Club and the New Castle Country Club. She was also a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Mercer.In addition to her husband, Jean is survived by a stepdaughter, Elizabeth "Lisa" Whittaker, of Denver, CO; a stepson and his wife, Thomas R. "Tom" and Christy Whittaker of New Castle; two sisters, Marian Schneider of Columbus, OH and June Brantsch of Garfield Heights, OH; and two grandsons, Derek Whittaker and Trent Whittaker.She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Elaine Abram.Visitation will be Friday, Jan 6, 2012, from 5-8 p.m. at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle.Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 110 E. Market St., Mercer, PA. The Rev. Dr. William P. Crooks will officiate. Burial will be at Castle View Memorial Gardens.Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14620.