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Ohio State University

John Whikehart Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Sep. 15, 2009.

John D. Whikehart - Merritt Island - John Dalton Whikehart, 85, passed away on Friday, September 11, 2009, at the Health Center of Merritt Island, where he had resided for two years. He was born in Zanesville, Ohio to John E. and Jennie O. (Mount) Whikehart, August 17, 1924. He served two years in the Army, in Italy and North Africa, having been drafted from high school. Following the war, he attended college at Ohio State University and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. As a professional drummer, he then traveled with Jimmy Barnett's Big Band throughout the Great Plains. Moving to Fort Wayne, Ind., to begin a sales career, he met and married Elsie Meiners; they were married 56 years. Retiring to Merritt Island in 1993, John resumed working part-time, selling advertising for Senior Life newspaper, and portraying "Captain Fish" at Florida Seafood Bar and Grille in Cocoa Beach. Survivors include his wife, Elsie; sons, J. William (Karen), Milford, MI; David L. (Janet), Findlay, OH; Dr. Douglas J. (Jennifer), Croton-on-Husdon, NY; daughter, Anne E. Hall (Scott), Issaquah, WA; brother, Lawrence, Las Vegas, NV; and eight grandchildren. Services will be at Brevard Memorial Funeral Home, Cocoa, FL on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 1 p.m., with visitation beginning at 12 noon. Memorials may be made to Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 525 Minutemen Cswy, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931; Alzheimers Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave. 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001 or Autism Speaks, 5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2250, Los Angeles, CA 90036.

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Recent Activity

September 21, 2009

Judie Vincenski-Satterfield posted to the memorial.

September 17, 2009

Robin Heron posted to the memorial.

September 17, 2009

Dan Church posted to the memorial.

5 Entries

Judie Vincenski-Satterfield

September 21, 2009

Dear Elsie,
My sincere sympathy to you and your family on John's passing. I have such wonderful memories of John and you when you lived in Fort Wayne and we became friends during our years at Eckrich. John was always such a talented and happy-go-lucky guy with a big smile. I've thought of you both often over the many years since you retired to Florida. I pray that you are well and that your faith will sustain you at this difficult time.

Your friend,
Judie

Robin Heron

September 17, 2009

It was a pleasure and honor to have cared for Mr. Whikehart ... I will always cherish the memories of his blue eyes and smile - he was a gentleman and always a delight...he most enjoyed using the drumsticks to play along on the table during a music program...Mr. Whikehart will always remain in our prayers and hearts... Robin Heron, Activity Director at The Health Center of Merritt Island

Dan Church

September 17, 2009

I will always think of John as being one of the most kindhearted people of all time. I won't look forward to the Germanfest in Fort Wayne as much knowing I won't run into John and Elsie together. Attached are pictures of a happy memory of John at Doug and Dave's graduation party.

Maxine Adkison

September 15, 2009

Elsie
I'm so sorry to hear about our good freind John. thinking about the time I work for him it was great, John was a good freind,and so was you
so sorry Maxine Bookmiller:Adkison

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sheila dwyer

September 15, 2009

I will always remember my dear John, in fact I "see" his face in front of me now always smiling. When my friend Jim and I went to visit with John and Elsie he was such a wonderful host, he gave up his bathroom for our use (not to mention his closet) and of course apologised profusely if for some reason he needed to use his own closet!what a gentleman he was and of course his greatest concern was always his Elsie, she was the light of his life always.
I will also always remember John playing the drums with his band, especially at Doug and Dave's graduation party - what a guy!

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