Richard 'Dick' Whitman
1939-01-11 - 2021-10-18
U.S. Veteran
Funeral Home: Kerr-Parzygnot Funeral Home 540 Dixie Hwy Chicago Heights IL (Map-it)
Visitation:
Service Date: 0000-00-00
Service Time:
Place of Service: St. Kieran Catholic Church 724 W 195th Street, Chicago Heights, IL (Map-it)
Cemetery: Assumption Cemetery 19500 S Cottage Grove, Glenwood, Illinois (Map-it)
Info: 708-754-0016
Web: https://www.kerr-parzygnotfuneralhomes.com/ (Go)
Obituary
Richard (Dick) G. Whitman, longtime resident of Glenwood, Illinois, left this world on Monday, October 18, 2021. He is survived by his loving wife of 60+ years, Joan, son Richard F. Whitman, daughters Catherine (Chip) Ingham, Karen Harres, Laura (Doug) O’Rourke, Julie Whitman (Ray Stuart), Cindy (Jack) Harris, grandchildren Joe, Rachel, Sarah, Samantha, William, Cecilia, Maya, and Alex, great-grandchildren Theo, Dean, and Adalind Jo, sister Joan Ludford, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents Lewis and Nola Whitman and sister Phyllis Lawbaugh.
Dick swept Joan off her feet when they lived across the street from each other in their teen years. They married in 1961 and moved together to Ft. Hood, Texas, and then on to Augsburg (U.S. Army base), Germany, where Cathy and Rick were born. While he would have loved a long military career, family was more important, and Dick agreed to move back to civilian life in the Hammond, Indiana, area after his service ended in 1963. He worked a blue-collar factory job to provide food and shelter for the growing family, and he provided much more in the way of being a living example of love within the family and community. Dick and Joan enjoyed their couples bowling league andhe coached little league baseball and softball for many years. Many of Glenwood’s former kids remember how he was such a fair coach, never becoming angry or upset, and letting every kid play, no matter their abilities.
The love of baseball was in him from an early age as he was a life-long Chicago Cubs fan and took the kids to at least one game at Wrigley Field every summer. His mom would some times go to the games too, picnic basket with bologna sandwiches in tow. When the Cubs won the world series in 2016 he was overcome with pure joy!
The kids’ friends loved hanging around the Whitman household as “Pops” was always welcoming and quick with a joke, or to ask how they and their families were doing, or how their dog was doing. Pops loved dogs and there was always a dog (generally a rescue) in the house, sometimes two. Those dogs went along on family camping trips and some times were the source of much ruckus…like the time Pops accidentally rolled up the far back window of the station wagon on poor Laddie’s neck! Laddie lived to run another day and fight through the tent wall with invading racoons!
As the kids grew up and went off to college, married, and had their own families and careers, Pops was always there to support the kids and grandkids – even taking road trips with Mom to visit them in far flung places like Texas and Georgia and Central Indiana. They also loved going to local festivals and fairs, where Pops would always be in line for hot dogs, corn on the “knob,” apple pies and other goodies.
Pops always made sure he had special gifts or flowers for Mom on their anniversary, birthdays and Christmas. She would always say the kids and all of our presence were gifts enough for her. He also loved to support the grandkids in their school endeavors and activities, including attending their games, buying untold boxes of Girl Scout cookies, popcorn, candy bars or whatever they were selling to support their activities.
Dick was a proud and active member of the AMVETS local chapter (post 268) in Glenwood and was always around for events ranging from flag raising and retiring to fund raising to picnics and social events. Mom said he never met a stranger, and that is the way he will be remembered. He was always warm and welcoming, a great conversationalist and loved by many. He will be dearly missed.
Donations in his honor may be made to your local Humane Society or to Amvets.
A mass of Christian burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 23, at St. Kieran Catholic Church in Chicago Heights. Viewing will begin at the church at 9:00 a.m., and interment at Assumption Cemetery in Glenwood will immediately follow the mass.
Arrangement entrusted to Kerr-Parzygnot Funeral Home, 540 Dixie Highway, Chicago Heights, Illinois (708) 754-0016
The Helms family is praying for you all. I loved hearing funny stories of his snide comments and stories of him in the grocery store on his scooter. You are all so blessed to have had him. I know his presence will be missed BUT his gift of life is everlasting. May God wrap you all in His arms to bring peace and comfort when everyone goes back to “life”, especially during your firsts without him. We will continue to pray for you. We love you Harris family, so much!
Prayers going up for you and family and friends…I know what a beautiful man he was because I met his daughter a lifetime ago and she has always had a whisper in my heart and ear…be the best I can be and never give up. I still RISE and now you will RISE high like a beautiful 🏳 flag.
My he Rest In Peace
My heart felt sadness for you all. My prayers and blessings are with you in trying days ahead
❤️🐿
What a beautiful life ‘Pops’ lived. Such a great man and created a beautiful legacy. He was a stalwart and a legend. He will always be remembered and in our hearts. Our prayers and love go out to Julie’s Mom, Julie, Brother, Sisters, family and friends. May he rest in peace in the Father’s arms. Never forgotten.
Sending you our sincere condolences
He will be terribly missed but never forgotten
Many hugs to the family,
I will miss my friend and his infectious smile and wit.