John P. “Jay” Whitener

John “Jay” P. Whitener passed away Thursday, April 26^th 2018, at the age of 91 at home on the farm he loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents John F. Whitener and Frances Whitener; one son Kenneth Whitener; sisters Winifred Huggins, Marjorie LeBlanc and Marlene D. Roth.

He is survived by his wife, Deirdre; one son John P. (Marilynn) Whitener, Jr. ; one step-son Jon (Kim) Hindman; two grandchildren Andrew (Katelyn) and Shannon Whitener; and several nieces and nephews.

John “Jay” was born March 7, 1927 in Marquand, MO. He proudly joined the US Navy at 17 during World War II and served aboard the Clemson Class Destroyer “U.S.S. John Paul Jones”. On his return from service, he attended Ranken Trade School. He then went on to work at General Motors before opening his own body shop in St. Louis. This lead him to the auto salvage business where he was involved until he retired to spend time on the farm he loved.

John “Jay” enjoyed life to the fullest; he was a skydiver making nearly 1,000 jumps. He loved working with his hands; he crafted many beautiful items out of wood and rebuilt numerous vehicles. He was an avid hunter, loved the outdoors and enjoyed working on the farm.

John was a fifty year member of the Wentzville Masonic Lodge 46, A&A Scottish Rite and Moolah Shriners. For a number of years he was the “Wagon Master” for Daniel Boone Shrine Club.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital, Highland Prairie Union Church or United Methodist Church in Moscow Mills, MO.