WWII-Vet-Obit-WILLHITE, Gale F. - 1973
GALE F. WILLHITE
Source: The obituary is from a collection of newspaper (paper names not recorded) obituaries saved, by Fauniel Hershberger, during the 1950's, 60's, 70's and 80's. She was a life long resident of Fountain County Indiana. The collection is now housed in the Fountain County Section of Local History at Crawfordsville District Public Library.
Gale F. Willhite, 51 of West Lebonon died at 5 p.m. Thursday March 29, 1973 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Indianapolis. He had been a patient five weeks and had been ill three years. Born February 23, 1922 near Mellott he was the son of Edgar and Daisy Mitchell Willhite. He married Barbara Ottinger August 18, 1944 in Mellott who survives. Mrs. Willhite owns and operates the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Williamsport. A graduate of Mellott High he had been a resident of West Lebonon the past 18 years. He had been in the housing department at Harrison Steel Casting Co. for several years. A World War II veteran, he was a member of the Mellott United Church of Christ where he had perfect atendanc for 42 years. Survivors also include three sons, Dr. Larry Willhite of Indianapolis Melvin of West Lebanon and David at home; three brothers the Rev. Leon Willhite of Elburn Ill., Kenneth of Crawfordsville and Hoel of Waynetown; a sister Mrs. Raymond (Melba) Zeigler of Hampton Iowa; his stepfather Roy Brandenburg of Mellott. He was preceeded in death by a sister and a twin brother. Services were held in the Mellott United Church of Christ with the Rev. Clyde Hunter officiating Burial in the West Lebanon Cemetery with Fisher Funeral Home in charge. The family has requested any memorials be in the form of contributions to the American Heart Association. – jlr