Obituary for Harold L. Whitmer
Harold L. Whitmer, 89, of Clinton, Iowa passed away peacefully at Winning Wheels Nursing Home, Prophetstown, Illinois on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. Funeral services occur at 1 pm on Thursday, December 17, at Lemke Funeral Homes – South Chapel (2610 Manufacturing). Burial takes place at Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Lemke Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements.
He was born June 6, 1931 the son of Ellery and Margaret (Taggert) Whitmer. He was united in marriage to Hazel G. McGarth – together for 50 years until her Hazel’s passing.
He was a long-time resident, living in the oldest house in Clinton. Due to his declining health, he spent the last year residing at Winning Wheels Nursing Home, Prophetstown, Illinois.
Harold was a veteran of the U.S. Army; stationed at Fort Bliss in Texas, were he was in charge of the military band. The Army then sent him to Washington D.C. to the Navy School of Music and Band. While in the Army, he was an accomplished and skilled boxer.
Harold either started or was part of numerous bands where he sang and played clarinet, however, he was mostly known for playing the Saxophone. He loved music and wrote numerous songs for his bands. He was also an Arthur Murray dance instructor. He was attributed with establishing a US patent in 1975 and also Germany in 1977. Above all, he loved his family very much and will be greatly missed.
Harold is survived by his daughter Lisa L Whitmer and son in-law Chris Wiggins, granddaughter - Tonya Rompasky and grandson - Gerimiah Whitmer and step daughter - Patricia Welliever and grandchildren – Denysel, Jeanville and Jarrod Meurs, several great-grandchildren and great- great- grandchildren with other family members and many friends he met throughout his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife – Hazel, brother – Ellery and sister – Mary Margaret.
Memorials made can be directed to the family.
He was born June 6, 1931 the son of Ellery and Margaret (Taggert) Whitmer. He was united in marriage to Hazel G. McGarth – together for 50 years until her Hazel’s passing.
He was a long-time resident, living in the oldest house in Clinton. Due to his declining health, he spent the last year residing at Winning Wheels Nursing Home, Prophetstown, Illinois.
Harold was a veteran of the U.S. Army; stationed at Fort Bliss in Texas, were he was in charge of the military band. The Army then sent him to Washington D.C. to the Navy School of Music and Band. While in the Army, he was an accomplished and skilled boxer.
Harold either started or was part of numerous bands where he sang and played clarinet, however, he was mostly known for playing the Saxophone. He loved music and wrote numerous songs for his bands. He was also an Arthur Murray dance instructor. He was attributed with establishing a US patent in 1975 and also Germany in 1977. Above all, he loved his family very much and will be greatly missed.
Harold is survived by his daughter Lisa L Whitmer and son in-law Chris Wiggins, granddaughter - Tonya Rompasky and grandson - Gerimiah Whitmer and step daughter - Patricia Welliever and grandchildren – Denysel, Jeanville and Jarrod Meurs, several great-grandchildren and great- great- grandchildren with other family members and many friends he met throughout his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife – Hazel, brother – Ellery and sister – Mary Margaret.
Memorials made can be directed to the family.