Gladys Eilene Whittington, 90, passed away Thursday, October 17, 2013 at the Presbyterian Manor in Emporia.She was born August 3, 1923 on a farm near Reading State Lake the daughter of Howard and Josehine "Josie" Phillips Wamser.Gladys graduated from Duck Creek Grade School in 1937. The fall of that year she enrolled in the Reading High School. It was there she met and fell in love with Louis Benjamin Whittington. She graduated in 1941 and they were joined in marriage on February 28, 1942 in Yates Center, Kansas.After her husband's service in the U.S. Navy during World War II they purchased the Louie's Electric Shop in Reading. It was there she spent most of her days helping grow their business.Gladys was a devoted mother and contributor to her community and church. She was a charter member of the Reading Women's Civic Club where she served as president in 1976; the chairperson for the 1976 Reading Centennial Book; a co-chairperson for the Reading Bi-Centennial Committee and a booster of the many sports and youth activities in the community. She will always be remembered as a faithful citizen of the Reading Community.After retiring from the electric shop the couple enjoyed traveling. Louis preceded her in death on April 25, 1988 after which time she sold her home in Reading and moved to Emporia. She devoted most of her time and energies to her family and enjoying activities at the Senior Center with her many friends.She will be missed dearly by her three sons, James Louis Whittington of Emporia, Richard Eugene Whittington of Lawrence and Robert Howard Whittington of Reading; 4 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Patsy Lou Whittington; two sons, Donald Whittington and Ronald Whittington and a grandson, Benjamin Louis Whittington.Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at the Reading United Methodist Church. Burial will follow services at Reading Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., Monday evening at the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home in Lebo. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Reading United Methodist Church or to Hand In Hand Hospice and sent in care of the funeral home.