Kenneth Ray Whitten
Kenneth Ray Whitten
February 13, 1950 ~ December 11, 2014
Services:
A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 11:00 AM in Trinity Episcopal Church St. Mary’s City, MD with Father John Ball officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation:
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD.
Kenneth “Ken” Ray Whitten, 64, of Callaway, MD formerly from Hillsboro, IL passed away on December 11, 2014 in Callaway, MD. Born on February 13, 1950 in Hillsboro, IL, he was the son of the late Juanita Whitten and Kenneth Whitten and he was preceded in death by his adoptive parents Edna and Homer Griffin. Ken was the loving husband of Florence Whitten whom he married in Trinity Episcopal Church St. Mary’s City, MD. Ken is survived by his children: Steven Whitten of Washington State, Christina Butler (John) of Martinsburg, WV, Lori Lynn Sills of Baltimore, MD, Lucy Jo Ebershol of Norfolk, VA, Thomas E. Bean of Valley Lee, MD, daughter-in law Catherine L Bean of Callaway, MD, and granddaughter Margarita Whitten , 21 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Siblings; Donald Groves, Sheila Stoneburner, Vonda Burdell, Bernard Groves, and Rebecca Whitten. Ken graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1968. Ken entered the United States Navy in 1968 and retired in 1988, he was a long time TACAMO and PMA-271 shipmate and, he worked for Eagle Systems, Inc for 15 years retiring in August, 2013.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 Pm with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 11:00 AM Trinity Episcopal Church St. Mary’s City, MD with Father John Ball officiating. Interment will follow in the church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be; Evelyn “Beanie” Bean, Bret Sylvia, Doug Daily, John Butler, Benjamin Knott, and Herman Knott. Honorary Pallbearers will be; Tyler Bean, Joseph Paiz, Mike Abell, Allen Abell, Eugene Forrest, Robert Clement, Jr., and Phil Langley. Contributions may be made to Trinity Church P.O. Box 207 St. Mary’s City, MD 20686, Second Dist. Vol. Rescue Squad and Second Dist. Vol. Fire Department, P.O. Box 1 Valley Lee, MD 20692 , and Wounded Warriors Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675.
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February 13, 1950 ~ December 11, 2014
Kenneth “Ken” Ray Whitten, 64, of Callaway, MD formerly from Hillsboro, IL passed away on December 11, 2014 in Callaway, MD. Born on February 13, 1950 in Hillsboro, IL, he was the son of the late Juanita Whitten and Kenneth Whitten and he was preceded in death by his adoptive parents Edna and Homer Griffin. Ken was the loving husband of Florence Whitten whom he married in Trinity Episcopal Church St. Mary’s City, MD. Ken is survived by his children: Steven Whitten of Washington State, Christina Butler (John) of Martinsburg, WV, Lori Lynn Sills of Baltimore, MD, Lucy Jo Ebershol of Norfolk, VA, Thomas E. Bean of Valley Lee, MD, daughter-in law Catherine L Bean of Callaway, MD, and granddaughter Margarita Whitten , 21 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Siblings; Donald Groves, Sheila Stoneburner, Vonda Burdell, Bernard Groves, and Rebecca Whitten. Ken graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1968. Ken entered the United States Navy in 1968 and retired in 1988, he was a long time TACAMO and PMA-271 shipmate and, he worked for Eagle Systems, Inc for 15 years retiring in August, 2013.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 Pm with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 11:00 AM Trinity Episcopal Church St. Mary’s City, MD with Father John Ball officiating. Interment will follow in the church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be; Evelyn “Beanie” Bean, Bret Sylvia, Doug Daily, John Butler, Benjamin Knott, and Herman Knott. Honorary Pallbearers will be; Tyler Bean, Joseph Paiz, Mike Abell, Allen Abell, Eugene Forrest, Robert Clement, Jr., and Phil Langley. Contributions may be made to Trinity Church P.O. Box 207 St. Mary’s City, MD 20686, Second Dist. Vol. Rescue Squad and Second Dist. Vol. Fire Department, P.O. Box 1 Valley Lee, MD 20692 , and Wounded Warriors Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675.
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“Florence, Tommy, and family so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. His suffering is over and now in God’s hands. Prayers to and for all of you.”
“My condolences to the family. Kenny will be miss by all of us.”
“I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. “
“My thoughts and prayers. A great teacher and friend. Any memory I have of Ken evokes a smile.He was a kind Soul.”
“I send my deepest condolences to the family and my prayers are with you. God Bless! “
“So sorry for your/our loss. As one Tacamo Reel Op Brother to another…Ken will be remembered. “
“You served an honorable and noble career. Fair winds shipmate. Our prayers are for your family and we look forward to meeting again! You can be sure of that.”
“I miss him lots but he is in a better place now. He will always be with us whether we know it or not.”
“Sorry for your Loss, I got to serve with Ken. Once a Reel Op always a Reel Op. Let the Drogues Fly Ken, We have the watch. Gonna miss ya. Keep the coffee warm and I will see you on the other side in Crew Rest. “
“Squadron mate from the mid seventies. condolences and prayers”
“Sorry for your loss Flo.”
“Florence and Tommy, please accept our condolences at this time of loss. Ken was an excellent Shipmate and friend. He is at peace and is no longer suffering. Kenny’s wisdom, honesty and support will be missed by all who served with him. “
“It is with great sadness, that I heard we had lost a Tacamo legend. Please accept my most sincerest condolences. I have had the privilege of working with and telling sea stories with Kenny for more years than either of us would admit too. Honesty and integrity was Kenny’s trademark and one we all should emulate. Farewell my friend! Herb Bates Tacoma Retired Rockwell Collins Logistics”
“Aunt Flo, sorry to hear of Uncle Kenny’s passing. He will be missed and we will keep him in our prayers.”
“Dear Flo and family, May the peace of the Lord be with you and may you feel his love . Ken fought a good fight but evidently God needed him. I am so very sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers.”
“My prayers are with the entire family. Kenny will be truly missed. He was such a kind man. You are no longer suffering my dear friend. “
“Kenny and I worked together in the 80’s and 90’s as the transition from EC-130 to E-6A was occurring. His work ethic was incredible as was his personal integrity. Please accept my deepest condolences. “
“Florence, Tommy, and family, We are so sorry for your loss. Ken fought with all he had, but the Lord called him and he followed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. He will always be with you in your heart.”
“Tommy, We are deeply sorry for your loss and we are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.”
“Flo I am so sorry for your loss. Kenny was one of a kind. He will be missed dearly. We had many good times working together and having fun. I will miss him dearly. My prayers are with you and your family. May he rest in peace.”
“OUR CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY.WE ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM AS A TACAMO BROTHER AND GOOD FRIEND.”
“Our condolences to Florence and the family. Kenny will be missed and always remembered. So many memories from so long ago. Our boot camp buddy, we had a lot of good times. Our prayers are with you.”
“Florence and Tommy, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We will always be grateful for Kenny’s contribution to the Navy and the Nation.”
“Florence, So very sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. He’ll be truly missed. God Bless you and your family.”
“I will always have fond memories of the good times we had cruising around Hillsboro in his mustang with Kenny behind ths wheel. Lots of good times were had! You will be greatly missed.So sorry for your loss Florence we are praying for you and your family. Your friend and good navy buddy ! Ed and Cathy Butler “
“Very sorry to hear about his passing. My condolences to his family. We were VQ squadron mates and Aircrew mates during the 70’s & 80’s. Till we meet again, Fair Winds, My Friend”
“It was with great sadness that I heard the news about Ken. My condolences to Florence and Tommy. I served with Ken in VQ-3 and flew many dets with him in the Herc. He was always a pleasure to fly with, a fantastic Reel Op, and a Great American! “
“Kenny’s work ethic and integrity at PMA271 were inspirational. I wish I could have had the privilege of deploying with him. God bless.”
“I’ve had the pleasure to of worked with Kenny for quite a few years on TACAMO programs. His expertise and willingness to guide and teach will be greatly missed. My prayers are with the family and I know he is at peace.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. May He Rest In Peace.”
“Florence, Tommy and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you all – heaven has gained a special angel to watch over each and every one of you!”
“”I send my deepest condolences to the family and my prayers are with you. God Bless! “”
“Tommy, we are so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers right now, and we are always here for you if there is anything you need. “
“My sympathies to Florence,Tommy,& family. Prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.”
“We are so very sorry for your loss. Wish we could be there with you, hugs”
“Florence and family – Our hearts go out to all of you. So sorry for your loss. We’ll be thinking of all of you and keeping you in our thoughts. Much love.”
“Dear Florence, I was sorry to hear of Kens passing. My thoughts and prayers are for you and the family”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. “
“”Florence, Tommy and family, my thoughts and prayers go out to you all. Kenny was a shipmate, co-worker and longtime friend. I have many fond memories of good times I shared with Kenny in the military and afterwards. He will be missed! I pray God give you peace, strength and understanding in your time of loss. Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”
“Florence, Tommy and family, the loss of such a patient and kind man is never easy. Kenny was both of these things, in addition to being dedicated to his Navy, the TACAMO community, and his work. He will be missed and remembered. May you find some comfort in the words of his friends and co-workers during this time.”
“It was with great sorrow that I heard of Kenny’s passing. I had the privilege of working with Kenny on many projects for the E-6 community. He will be missed by all who knew him. Please accept my deepest condolences. “
“my deepest condolences to Kenny’s family, although I wasn’t stationed with him I had the pleasure to work with him as one retired shipmate to another, fair winds and following seas my friend.”
“Kenny probably never realized how many people he helped along the way. I know I was one of MANY. He seemed to have infinite patience and a real knack for explaining things so as to make them look simple. I’m sure he’s reaping his just reward even as I write this note. “
“Kenny was a fine man who willingly shared his wisdom with anyone who wanted to learn. I’m so sorry for your loss….. May you rest in peace brother! “
“Florance I just heard about Ken. I am so sorry I was not there for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Tommy.”
“I graduated from High School with Kenny. So sorry for your loss.”
“Condolences from another member of the Hillsboro HS Class of ’68. RIP, Kenny.”
“I was a classmate of Kenny. He was a real nice man. I send my deepest sympathy!”
“Another Hillsboro HS graduate with the Class of 68 So sorry to hear of your loss – Sympathy to the family”
“My prayers and thoughts are with your family. I Worked with Kenny many moons ago, and it was a pleasure to have known him.”
“I’m sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing. I grew up on the same street with Kenny and went to school with him through high school. I will always have fond memories of Kenny and Edna and Homer Griffin. My condolences to the family.”
“Florence, Tommy and family, I just saw Ken’s obit and am so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers go out to each of you. May God bless you all in your time of need. You are in my thoughts!”
“My deepest sympathy to the Whitten Family. May God comfort you and give you peace through this difficult time. Kenny was an awesome Professional, always positive and going the extra mile. Fair winds, Shipmate. “