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Edgar D. Whitcomb
1917 - 2016
Edgar D. Whitcomb
1917 - 2016
Obituary
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Edgar Whitcomb Obituary
Born Nov. 6, 1917, in Hayden, he was the son of John and Louise Doud Whitcomb, both of whom preceded him in death.
Ed was a 1935 graduate of Hayden High School and graduated from Indiana University, where he studied law and played trumpet in the Marching Hundred. He was a colonel in the United States Army Air Force and served during World War II, when he was held captive by the Japanese. He recounted his wartime years in his first book, "Escape From Corregidor."
He served in the Indiana State Senate as secretary of state, then as Indiana's 43rd governor from 1969 to 1973.
After retiring from law and public life, Ed embarked on a solo sailing journey circumnavigating the world. After 10 years of travel, he came back to his home in southern Indiana, where he remained the rest of his life.
Through all of his heroic actions in the war and his years of public service, his family's cherished memories are of a kind, loving father and grandfather who always treated them fairly and loved to be with little children.
He was a member of Hayden United Methodist Church and the Columbia Club in Indianapolis. Ed was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts in Seymour.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Evelyn Whitcomb; daughters, Patricia "Trish" (Russ) Sipes of Indianapolis and Ann (John) Guggenheim, of Indianapolis, Shelley Whitcomb, of Seymour, and Alice Carfagno of Los Angeles; son, John (Terri) Whitcomb of Nashville; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Sally Lieurance, of Williamsburg, Virginia; and a brother, Charles Whitcomb, of Miami.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Laura Showalter.
A celebration of Ed's life will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Huber Funeral Home, Tell City Chapel, with visitation from 2 to 6 p.m. The Rev Paul Alvey and the Rev. Ann Skiba will officiate.
There also will be a funeral service at 2 p.m. Sunday at Hayden United Methodist Church with Tom Judd officiating, with visitation from noon until time of service Sunday.
Memorials may be made to Perry County Community Foundation, Ed and Evelyn Whitcomb Scholarship Fund or to the Hayden Historical Society.
Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at huberfuneralhome.net.
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Pete Hayes
February 18, 2016
My condolences to the Whitcomb family, the state of Indiana mourns with you. I became good friends with his daughter Shelley as a student at Indiana University; she always spoke so highly of her family and was very proud of her father. I had the good fortunate of visiting with Gov. Whitcomb one day in 1981 at his law office in Seymour, a special day that I will never forget.
Pete Hayes
Austin, TX
Dr. Jetta Tarr
February 14, 2016
I have admired Gov. Whitcomb for years and had the fortunate experience to know one of his friends Leon Campbell who survived Bataan. I have read his book and given it to others to read. What a great American and Hoosier he was...our thoughts go to the family for your loss.
Thomas Kendall
February 11, 2016
Thank You Governor Whitcomb for your service to Indiana, and for your service to our country.
Kent Lynch
February 10, 2016
John im so sorry to hear about your dad I hear he was a great man prayers to you and your family my friend
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sue mellencamp
February 9, 2016
So sorry to here of your dad passing. Prayers to all the family.
JOHN COLE
February 8, 2016
My condolences to the Whitcomb Family. I was just a teenager when I went back to Indiana in 1979 to see the Indianapolis 500 on a Greyhound bus from Los Angeles. I had worked at Honey Baked Hams in Toluca Lake, California and was fortunate enough to work for Jay Dolfus and Pat Whitcomb there and expressed my interest in the Indy 500. Ed hooked me up with a ticket to the race and showed me around downtown, and took me to the Columbia Club and to the Speedway for a ride around the track and a tour of the speedways museum. He was so nice to me and I was meeting him for the first time. I even spent the night at his place in Seymour, IN one night prior to the the race. A true gentleman. I have great memories of this man and his HOOSIER HOSPITALITY that I will never forget. It was a incredible experience that exceed anything that I can put into words. To Alice, Ann. Johnny, Shelly, Trish, Pat, and extended family, my condolences to you all.
Kevin (Tenor) O'Day
February 8, 2016
Anne and Trish,My thoughts are with you both at this time. Your father served his country and his state very well. May he rest peacefully.
February 8, 2016
A great American and true hero. Besides being a great man he was a truly great person.
RIP
William Savage
Bill Sharp, Jr.
February 8, 2016
Dear Evelyn and family,
My father, Judge Bill Sharp. treasured his friendship with Governor Ed, from the time they were classmates in law school, and was honored to be a part of his administration. In later years, he and my mother, Betty, enjoyed their visits with the two of you in Rome. I regret not being able to make the trip to Tell City to pay respects on behalf of the Sharp family. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, as are those of my brother, Jim, who read the obituary in his local newspaper in Hawaii. Ed is beloved by all who knew him, for his patriotism, dedication, honesty, and sense of adventure.
Becky Reynolds
February 7, 2016
I always thought that Mr. Whitcomb was such a nice man and someone to look up to. Several years ago when I worked at the license branch he came in and came to my station to get his driver's license. He had just gotten back from sailing around the world and I asked him if he ever was afraid out there at sea all by himself. He said "Yes" one time when he had docked at Spain some men came on his ship and had stolen all of his things, including his wallet with his driver's license in it. He said he just laid there and pretended to be asleep because if he hadn't they would have killed him. He was so brave.
His entire family has my thoughts and prayers during this sad time of your lives.
RIP Gov. Whitcomb. You will always be remembered.
Becky "Lisman" Reynolds
Bonnie (Dailey) Page
February 7, 2016
Sincere condolences to the family in the loss of Mr. Whitcomb. I remember his time as governor of IN. when I graduated from highschool. Great man and great veteran. prayers for comfort to the family!
Denise Melloncamp
February 7, 2016
Shelly, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tina&Randi Pearson
February 7, 2016
Ed was a great person to know, may God bless the family at this time. Ed will be missed
Phil Yeager
February 7, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Your dad was a great man and has touched so many people's lives in a positive way! God Bless!
Ralph and Ann Foley
February 6, 2016
I had always wanted to meet Gov Whitcomb -- what a guy! I will always recall going to the State GOP convention with my father when he was there and nominated! I always thought his book would have made a great movie....and still do! My sincere sympathies to his family and friends. (former St Rep)
KEISTON HOLLOWAY
February 6, 2016
ON BEHALF OF THE COMRADES AND SISTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA YOU HAVE OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR LOVED ONE AND OUR DEPARTED COMRADE.OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL.SINCERELY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA STATE CHAPLAIN KEISTON R.HOLLOWAY
Paul-Dena Hallett
February 6, 2016
We offer our deepest heartfelt sympathy to the Whitcomb family on the loss of a great man and a inspiration to those around. May God be with you during these trying times.
Tony McKinney
February 6, 2016
So Sorry for your loss to all the Family. I will always have fond memories of all of you in our younger years.
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