Johnny Whitlatch

HARRISBURG - Johnny Whitlatch, 84, of Harrisburg, departed this life on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. He was born Aug. 16, 1941, in Jonesboro and lived most of his lifetime in the Trumann and Harrisburg area. He was a 1961 graduate of Trumann High School and a respected member of Maple Grove Baptist Church, where he went on mission trips to Alaska and Guatemala. Johnny was a social butterfly of the Trumann community and enjoyed hunting with his grandkids and family, fishing, and was a sponsor for Valley View Trap Shooters. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Ada Reed Whitlatch, and one brother, Neal Whitlatch.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carla Jo McMahan Whitlatch of the home; two sons, Jody Whitlatch of Trumann and Jeff (Joanna) Whitlatch of Jonesboro; one brother, Dale Whitlatch of Trumann; six grandchildren, JC Whitlatch, Collin (Makayla) Whitlatch, Carter Whitlatch, Austin Needham, Shelby (Patrick) England, and Olivia Whitlatch.

Visitation will be on Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m. at Maple Grove Baptist Church in Trumann. A celebration of life will follow at 3 p.m. with Reverend Jim Duffel officiating. Burial will be private.

Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Irvin, Larry John Chamblis, Gerald Hunt, Mark Weaver, David Smith, Danny Pippinger, Ben Turner, Dale Whitlatch, and the men of Larry Henderson's Sunday School class.

Online registry: www.thompsonfuneralhome.net.