Julia Marie Whitaker, 89, of Eureka, IL and formerly of Washington, IL, died at 2:29 pm Monday, May 30, 2022 at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. Born on September 23, 1932 in Bluffs, IL to Vern Lee and Ruth Ann Peters Hulett, she married Donald Leslie Whitaker on November 25, 1949 in Harrison, AR. He preceded her in death on June 27, 2001. Surviving are 3 children; Harold (Helene) Whitaker of Washington, IL, Deborah (Mike) Craig of East Peoria, IL, and Ruth Whitaker of Eureka, IL, 3 brothers, Chester O. Hulett of Bartonville, IL, Joel W. Hulett and Andrew Hulett, both of Quincy, IL, 6 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Nancy Knutson, her son, Donald Gregory Whitaker, grandson, Patrick Craig, and 8 brothers and sisters. Julia worked at Bemis Bag in Peoria, owned and operated DJ's Gifts and Home Fashions in Sunnyland, and later was a caregiver for DORS and her own family members. She was a faithful woman who loved the Lord and her family. Services will be at 11 am Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington. Rev. Jan Johnson will officiate. Visitation will be from 10-11 Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery in Washington. Memorials may be made to Richard L. Owens Hospice Home or to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Julia's memorial website is available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com where condolences may also be sent to her family.