Submitted by: S. Vanden Bossche

Whitmer, Robert D.   June 10, 1927 - Nov. 2, 2008 SOUTH BEND - Robert "Bob" Devere Whitmer, 81, passed away Sunday, November 2, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend. Mr. Whitmer is survived by two sisters, Betty Morris of Buffalo Grove, IL and Mary Overmyer of South Bend; two brothers, James (Sylvia) Whitmer of South Bend and Donn (Betty) Whitmer of Venice, FL. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 6, in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend. Friends may call one hour before services. Published in the South Bend Tribune on 11/4/2008

Whitmer, Robert Devere   June 10, 1927 - Nov. 2, 2008 SOUTH BEND - Robert Devere Whitmer, 81, a lifelong resident of South Bend, passed away at 8:27 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008 at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Mr. Whitmer was born on June 10, 1927 in South Bend to the late Arthur Devere and Mary Genevieve (Hawkins) Whitmer. He married on December 19, 1957 in the District of Paddington, London, England to the former Jeannot Peuteman who passed away on September 3, 2001. One nephew, Jerry Overmyer, also preceded in death. Mr. Whitmer is survived by his two sisters and two brothers and their families; sister, Betty Morris of Buffalo Grove, IL; niece Mindy (Dan) McClellan of Buffalo Grove, IL; and nephew, Jeff Morris of Chapmansboro, TN; sister, Mary Overmyer of South Bend; 3 nieces, Beth Krom of South Bend, Kathy Carter of Port Richey, FL, and Lori (George) Lewis of South Bend; brother, James (Sylvia) Whitmer of South Bend; 2 nephews, James G. (Evelyn) Whitmer of Schoolcraft, MI and David M. (Patty) Whitmer of Chino Hills, CA; and brother, Donn (Betty) Whitmer of Venice, FL; 3 nephews, Harry (Jennifer) Whitmer of Orlando, FL, Mike (Kelli) Whitmer of Panama City, FL, and Randy (Annette) Whitmer of Sarasota, FL. Bob is also survived by his first cousin, Melvin (Janet) Marcedes of Fort Mill, NC; 7 great nieces; 16 great nephews; and many great great nieces and nephews. Mr. Whitmer was a 1945 graduate of Riley High School where he was the 2nd 4-year letterman in the history of the school having lettered in football, baseball, basketball and track. He was selected as a member of the All-State Football Team. Bob also played on the 1944-1945 Riley High School Basketball Team that went to the State Basketball Championship Finals against Evansville Bosse and was selected for the All-Tourney Team in Indianapolis. Bob attended Purdue University and began playing varsity football until he was drafted into the United States Army. He served his country proudly during the Korean War and spent time in Korea and Japan. During his time with the U.S. Army, he played basketball, football and baseball. He was talented. After serving his country, Bob returned to Purdue University where he continued his football and where he played all four years of his eligibility. He was the recipient of 2 major awards for football after his freshman year. While at Purdue, he enjoyed being a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and P-Men's Athletic Club Honor Society. Bob then transferred to Florida State University where he was captain of the basketball team and also played football, graduating in 1951. After his college days, the Chicago Cubs tried to draft him for their team and he declined. He continued playing basketball for the former Studebaker Basketball Team and summer baseball for the American Legion. Bob retired from Bendix Corporation as an Administrator for Labor Relations where he was employed for over 30 years. He was a member of Morris Park Country Club and became an avid golfer participating in many tournaments, too many to count. His accomplishments with the game of golf mirrored his days of playing basketball, football and baseball as he won many City Championships and tournaments at Morris Park. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2008 at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, IN. Rev. Greg Crump will officiate. A private inurnment will take place at Southlawn Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Robert D. Whitmer may be donated to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com Published in the South Bend Tribune on 11/5/2008 Notice • Guest Book • Funeral home info