Wilhite, Roy P. 1888-1984

WILHITE, DRAKE, ELLIOTT, GRIFFIN, SWARTZ

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/18/2011 at 13:29:38

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Dec. 6, 1984

ROY WILHITE SERVICES HELD

Roy P. Wilhite, 96, died Wednesday, Nov. 28, at Golden, Colo.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday at the Watts Funeral Home in Montezuma, with the Rev. Kennenth Arentson of the United Presbyterian Church of Gibson officiating. Pallbearers were Doren Dale, Larry Icenbice, David Stevenson, Walter Harbert, Cecil Crantson and Burdett Cranston. George Dale was honorary pallbearer.

Military rites were conducted by members of Morrison-Schrader Legion Post No. 296 of Deep River, with burial in Golden Rod Cemetery, Deep River.

The son of William and Rachael Drake Wilhite, he was born March 2, 1888, on a farm southeast of Deep River. He had been employed at Cox's General Merchandise Store and as a banker in the Deep River Bank before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1917. He served with the Allied Artillery for the duration of World War I.

On Aug. 25, 1920, he was married to Mabelle Edna Elliott. During the Depression years he worked as a rural mail carrier, holding that post until his retirement in 1958. Mrs. Wilhite died in November 1957.

Mr. Wilhite lived in Deep River and Montezuma until July 14, 1974, when he married Viola Griffin. The couple lived at the Mayflower Home in Grinnell until Mrs. Wilhite's death in August 1980 when Mr. Wilhite moved to Golden.

He was a charter member of both the Morrison-Schrader Legion Post and Golden Rod Masonic Lodge No. 512, both in Deep River. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Eastern Star and Modern Woodmen of America.

Survivors include his son, Jack Wilhite of Denver, and two grandsons. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Robert, Clyde, Harlan and William, and two sisters, Jerdena Wilhite and Emma Swartz.