ROCHELLE — Curtis Scott Whitney, 73, passed away Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb, Illinois.  Curt was born on March 14, 1952 to Samuel and Irene (Scott) Whitney in Belvidere, IL.  On November 7, 1992, he married Kathleen Ann Burke in Oregon, IL. Curt loved life with every breath, especially behind the wheel of one of his favorite cars traveling down the American highways to New Orleans.  He loved traveling with his wife Kathe to far off destinations like England, India, Thailand and Singapore.  Wonderful memories were created and kept at Walt Disney World with grandkids in tow. His passion was design and architecture.  This passion spilled over into their beautiful home in Rochelle and on their well manicured lawn.  Curt was a collector of family antiques and 1950's and 1960's Americana.  He cherished his long talks with Siddharth, his grandson, about their shared creative interests including the process of making guitars.  Curt was a craftsman in his own right, doing woodworking and making stained glass art.  Most of all, he collected loving family and devoted friends.  Ashwini, his granddaughter, wrote it best in the following tribute: Curt Whitney, lovingly known as Grandpa Whitney to his grandchildren, was a strong, yet soft and warm man. He is remembered in the small moments of joy he shared with his family: From carving a Pinewood Derby Barbie Bubble Bath car with his granddaughter, to talking for hours about his favorite cars. He was the embodiment of a model grandfather, quite literally crossing the globe to support his family. His voice echoes in the cold wind of a Rochelle morning; in the hum of a race car engine. 

Curt is survived by his wife, Kathleen of Rochelle; two daughters: Shannon (Rohit) Sirur of Nashville, TN and Kelly Whitney of CO; brother, Stuart (Sarah) Whitney of Rockford, IL; sister, Cathy (Jay) Trost of Rockford, IL and two grandchildren: Siddharth and Ashwini Sirur.

The visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle.  The funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at the funeral home with Pastor David Rogula officiating.  Burial will follow at Trinity Memory Gardens in Rochelle. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.