Sandra (Whitlow) Petrillo
September 27, 1942 - August 27, 2012

Sandra (Whitlow) Petrillo, 69 of Johnston, Iowa passed away on Monday, August 27, 2012 at the Taylor House in Des Moines, Iowa.

Born on September 27, 1942 in Glenwood, Missouri, she was the daughter of Louie and Hazel Juanita (Evans) Whitlow. She graduated from the Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Missouri in 1960 and went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Missouri in 1965 and her Master's degree from there also in 1976.

She was a long time teacher in the Keokuk Community School District in Keokuk, Iowa teaching 1st grade and later children with learning disabilities. She also served as President and Vice President of the Keokuk Education Association during the l980's. She retired in 1999 after 34 years and relocated to Johnston to be closer to her family.

Survivors include her son, James Petrillo and wife Sandra of Urbandale, Iowa; 2 grandsons, Grant James and Samuel Henry Petrillo of Urbandale, Iowa; 1 aunt, Fern Johnson and husband, Ted of Queen City, Missouri; 2 uncles, Richard (Dick) Evans and wife, Carolyn of Glenwood, Missouri and Jim Evans of Wichita, Kansas; numerous cousins and other family members.

Sandie is preceded in death by her parents, Hazel Whitlow on March 1, 2011 and Louie on January 29, 1993; aunts, Marjorie Hurlbut, Vernica Timm, Opal Easley, Eva & Mary Whitlow and uncles, Henry (Junior), Lee Whitlow and John Whitlow.

Sandie was a wonderful daughter, mother and grandmother. She was fiercely independent and very involved in her family activities. She loved to travel and was an avid reader, enjoyed antiques and Iowa Hawkeye athletics.

She was the first person in her entire family, both sides to earn a post secondary degree. She was very active in politics and was a national delegate to the l980 Democratic National Convention in New York City. She personally met President and Mrs. Carter during her convention experience.


She was a member of the "Tri-T" organization and she traveled extensively throughout the country. She also was able to travel to Germany in the 2000's, which was a trip she enjoyed and shared fond memories of the remainder of her life.

Sandie was far more likely to be attending to the needs of someone she loved than taking care of herself. She positively affected many students over her teaching years and was far too young to have left us. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
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Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 31, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri with Sonny Smyser, pastor of the Schuyler County Church of Faith of Lancaster, Missouri officiating. Music selections of "Just A Rose Will Do", " The Old Rugged Cross" and "Rock and Roll Lullaby". Pallbearers will be Mike Whitlow, Randy Whitlow, Ronnie Whitlow, Jeff Steen, Henry Cook and Lyle Lamb. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2012 at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri between the hours of 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri. Memorials have been established for Glenwood Cemetery. Burial will be in the Glenwood Cemetery in Glenwood, Missouri. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri.