George Whitney

George J. Whitney, 88, of Westerville, Ohio, formerly of Lima, Ohio, died at 3:44 p.m. November 3, 2008, at St. Ann?s-Mount Carmel Hospital, Westerville. He was born June 9, 1920, in Glandorf, Ohio to George Edgar Newton and Anna Schomaeker Whitney, who preceded him in death. On August 17, 1940, he married Zelma Schmenk, who died January 10, 1989. Mr. Whitney retired as a master electrician working for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 32 in electrical construction. He had also been a master electrician at the Lima Armature Works and the Lima Locomotive Works/ Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton. He was a longtime member of St. Gerard Catholic Church. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Caldwell DD605. Survivors include six children, Tom (Mary Lou) Whitney, of Westerville, Ohio, John (Janet) Whitney, of Brecksville, Ohio, Barbara (John) Miller, of West Chester, Ohio, Linda (Doug) Woods, of Jenison, Michigan, James Whitney, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, and Paul (Tracey) Whitney, of Copley; 18 grandchildren; 18 greatgrandchildren; and a sister, Mary Lou Weber, of Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by two brothers, William ?Bill? and Paul ?Donald? Whitney. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Gerard Catholic Church. The Rev. Thomas Lacey will officiate. Burial will be in Gethsemani Cemetery, with military rites by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1275. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, where a wake service will be held at 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Gerard Athletic Association, 240 W. Robb Ave., Lima, OH 45801. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.