SPRINGFIELD, IL – Ella (Earl) Willhite, 59, passed away Friday, March 15, 2019 at Memorial Medical Center. Ella was born October 9, 1959, the daughter of William "Bill" Sr. and Doris (Shull) Earl. Ella was a Southeast High School graduate, Class of 1977.  She married the love of her life, Don Willhite, on March 25, 1978, which was during the ice storm of the century, he survives. Her first job was as a counselor at Hope School.  She took much pride in her job and would bring some of the children home with her on the weekends. Ella was part owner in the Jailhouse Tavern family business from 1977 to 1986. Ella worked many years for Illinois Bell which later became Ameri-tech, where she retired.  After retirement, Ella worked for Memorial Health Care Services.

Most of all, Ella enjoyed her family. She loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. Ella was known to be a big sis and mother to everyone. Her door was always open to anyone in need. When Ella wasn't being a hostess, she loved to fish and camp. She also loved her dog, Diego, dearly.

Besides the love of her life, Don, she is survived by her son, Donnie Willhite (Stacy Hackwith), and his children, Bryce Cody, Elyce, Autumn Rose, Aurora Jean and Emily Willhite , son, Derek Willhite (Ashley Poorman) and his children, BreAuna Palmer, Libby Libben, Derek, Hannah, Daltun Willhite, stepsons, Tate Jr. and Gage Moffit, and her daughter, Danielle "Niki" Willhite (Cory Bigley) and her children, Jayden, Naomi, Wyatt, Jace and Journee Bigley, one great-granddaughter, Harper Palmer, brothers, Herbert C. Earl, his son, Andrew and William R. "Billy" Earl II, his daughters, Erika and Emily, brother-in-law, Mike Willhite (wife, Brenda) and three sisters-in-law, Jackie Gross, Tami Willhite and Lisa Potts (husband, Jim).  She is preceded in death by her parents, infant son, Andrew and sister-in-law, Bobbie Joe Roth.