Marilee Whitman, age 79, of Hesperia passed away on Monday, May 18, 2020, at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids. Marilee was born on October 1, 1940, in Kenton, Ohio, to Roy Gene and Bernadean A. (Clement) Brown and married Charles Whitman on May 1, 1960, in LaRue, Ohio. Marilee was a beautician by trade but her career was lovingly nurturing and caring for her family. Marilee was an incredible cook, loved knitting, sewing, and gardening. Marilee was an active member of the Fremont United Methodist Church. Marilee was raised on a rural farm in Ohio and was a country girl at heart. She was a sound Christian woman whose life revolved around her loving family. Marilee is survived by her husband, Charles; children, Kathy (Bill) DeBone of Nunica, Leslie (Jim) Welsh of Fremont, Amy (James) Mosser of Ohio, and Charles Robert Whitman of Grand Rapids; 12 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sisters and brother, Linda Anderson of Ohio, Carol (Jim) Staundenheimer of Ohio, and Dwight (Jane) Brown of Ohio; brother-in-law Fred Markley; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her sister, Phyllis Markley and brother, Max Richard Brown. A private Celebration of Marilee's Life will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, August 2, 2020, at a family member's home with Pastor Donna Minarik officiating. For a more lasting memorial, friends are asked to consider the Charles and Marilee Whitman Fund at the Fremont Area Community Foundation. Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery. Friends may share memories and condolences with the Whitman family at www.crandellfh.com. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Homes – Fremont Chapel. Memorial Service Family members home Sunday, August 2, 2020 2:00 PM Fremont, MI 49412