John D. "Jack" Whitehill

John D. “Jack” Whitehill, 93, of Walnut Street, Emlenton, passed away peacefully at 4:37 a.m. Monday, October 28, 2019 in the comfort of his home with his “three girls” at his side.

Born on August 31, 1926 in Franklin, he was the son of the late Cassius Furman and Josephine Cummings Whitehill.

He joined the Navy in 1944 and completed his training at Sampson, NY.  He was assigned to the Lighter Than Air Service (Navy Blimps).  He was stationed at Lake Hurst, NJ.  Their job was to patrol the East Coast in search of German submarines.  He was discharged in 1946, returned to Franklin and graduated from Franklin High School.

On June 14, 1942 he married Margaret “Peggy” Bower of Oil City.  She preceded him in death on January 4, 2011.  Together they shared 58 years of marriage.

Throughout his career Jack worked for the PA Department of Transportation.  The family moved to Emlenton in 1960 when he accepted a position with Emlenton Limestone Company which was building Interstate 80.  He retired in 1988 to spend more time with his wife, daughters, and grandchildren.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially with his grandchildren.  He belonged to many local service organizations including Kiwanis, American Auto Association, National Rifle Association, St. Michael’s Soup Group, and Knights of Columbus.  He served several terms on the Emlenton Borough Council and one term with his daughter, Amy.  He was a member of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Emlenton.

He is survived by three daughters, Amy Whitehill of Emlenton, Ann Whitehill Collentro and her husband, Scott, of Groton, MA, Jane Whitehill Russell and her husband, Dan, of Herndon, VA; six grandchildren, John Collentro, Andy Collentro and his wife, Jaclyn, Kate Collentro, David Russell and his wife, Jessica, Joey Russell, and Maggie Rankin and her husband, Chris; four great grandchildren, Henley and Cassius Russell, Russell and Amy Jane Rankin; a sister, Enid Spryn of Butler, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his wife and parents, Jack was preceded in death by a brother, Cassius Whitehill.

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home Inc., 1204 Kerr Ave., Emlenton, from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 p.m. Wednesday.  Recitation of the Rosary will be Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. by the Knights of Columbus.  Rev. Mr. Nick Cirrell, Deacon at St. Michael Church, will officiate a parish prayer service at the close of visitation Wednesday evening.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael The Archangel Roman Catholic Church,  807 Chestnut St., Emlenton, with the Rev. John Miller, pastor of St. Joseph and St. Stephen Roman Catholic Churches in Oil City,  officiating.  Private interment will be held Friday at Calvary Cemetery in Oil City.  Memorial contributions may be made to Aseracare Hospice, 12664, Rt. 19 South, PO Box 944, Waterford, PA 16441 or the Howard Kirtland Cancer Foundation, PO Box 108, Franklin, PA 16323.  For additional information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.

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