Jayne Louise Whitney, 90, of Niles, Michigan died at 6:20 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2015, at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on June 22, 1924, at Bair Lake near Jones, Michigan to Otis and Eda (Wright) Schell. She was graduated from Constantine High School as its Salutatorian, and completed business school.

She came to Niles in 1973 and served as a paralegal in several law offices including the Hadsel Law Office and Mollison, Landgraf, & Smith.

Jayne was a member of the Morris Chapel United Methodist Church in Niles, and a Past President of the Tri-County Legal Secretaries Association. She enjoyed reading mysteries and completing crossword puzzles, and had traveled throughout the eastern United States and Florida, and Spain. Her greatest joy was her family.

She was first married to Russell Baker. Later, on Aug. 24, 1952, in Dowagiac, Michigan she married Clarence McKinley “Mac” Whitney who preceded her in death on Nov. 21, 1970. She was also preceded in death by a 6-year-old son, James Hubert Baker.

Surviving family includes two sons, Gregory Alan Whitney and Kevin William Whitney, both of Niles; grandchildren Samantha Whitney, John Whitney, and Joe Whitney; and Jayne’s brother, James D. (Teresa) Schell of Battle Creek, Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.

The memorial service for Jayne L. Whitney will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Rob Snodgrass II of Morris Chapel United Methodist Church officiating. The family will gather later at Poe’s Cemetery in Newberg Township for interment of the cremated remains.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday at the funeral home beginning at 1 p.m. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Whitney may be made to the Morris Chapel United Methodist Church.

www.halbritterfunerals.com