John E. Whitlinger

1930 - 2018

John E. "Jack" Whitlinger, 87, of Kiski Township, passed away Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, at AHN-Allegheny Valley Hospital, Natrona Heights. Born April 1, 1930, in Pittsburgh, he was a son of the late William Eugene and Nell (Gagen) Whitlinger. Jack lived in the Apollo area his entire life, and was a graduate of Apollo High School. He worked for Wean United for 28 years before opening his accounting office, which he operated until the day he passed away. His memberships include First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Apollo, where he served on church council for many years, the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), past member and board president of the Apollo-Ridge school district, helped to establish the B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 386 in Apollo, Kiski Valley Junior Achievement, life member of the Apollo-Spring Church Sportsmen's Club, and was a 3rd degree knight with the Knights of Columbus. Jack enjoyed listening to jazz music, shooting pool, and reading non-fiction books. But he most loved spending time with his family. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Shirley (Riggle); children, Christine (Jeffrey) Martin, of Apollo, John (Melissa) Whitlinger, of Avonmore, Jim (Anita) Whitlinger, of Harleysville, Pa., and Ellen (Ed) Gamble, of North Apollo; grandchildren, Jason (Chelsea), and Jerris Beddingfield, Connor and Cody Billingsley, Jeanette and Eddie Gamble, Chrissy Etchison, and Kyle, Brooke, Jake, and Ava Whitlinger; great-grandchildren, Lukas and Brianna Beddingfield; siblings, Ann Lucas, of Lower Burrell, William (Myrna) Whitlinger, of Apollo, Gene (Rose) Whitlinger, of Boardman, Ohio; and nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, in the CURRAN-SHAFFER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 100 Owens View Ave., Apollo. Additional visitation will be held from 10 until the hour of service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, in First Evangelical Lutheran Church, with Pastor Philip Ramstad officiating. Interment will be in Riverview Cemetery, Apollo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jack's name to First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 214 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Apollo, PA 15613, or the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15205. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.curranfuneralhome.com.