Gary Wayne Whiteman
Gary Wayne Whiteman, 69, of Claysville, passed away peacefully Friday, October 5, 2018, in his home, with his family by his side.
Born October 8, 1948, in Washington, he is a son of the late Homer Andrew and Jesse Leona Yoder Whiteman.
Gary was a lifelong resident of the Claysville area. He graduated from McGuffey High School in 1966. Gary was a member of Claysville United Presbyterian Church.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he earned the rank of SP5. While serving, he received the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, two overseas bars and a Sharp Shooter Medal.
After a long tenure with Fort Pitt Bridge Works, Gary worked for Ritter Industries as a machinist welder until he retired in 2004.
He enjoyed riding motorcycles, hunting, fishing and farming. He had a way of making friends and family laugh with his creative storytelling, but most of all, he cherished spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by two daughters, Sherri (Mark) Miller of Washington and Mary (Paul) Saltis Jr. of Morgantown, W.Va.; brother, Ed (Judy) Whiteman, of Washington.; sister, Beverly (Fred) Gashel of Claysville; five grandchildren, Caroline and Nora Miller, and Gracie, Annamarie, and Paul Gary Saltis. He appreciated the love of the Ricker family, who took him in as one of their own. He adored his many, many Whiteman and Ricker nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen M. Ricker Whiteman, who passed away June 7, 2018.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday in Claysville United Presbyterian Church, 134 Wayne St. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 9, in the church, with the Rev. Jerome Creach officiating. He will be laid to rest at 2:30 p.m. in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville, with full military honors by active duty U.S. Army members and accompanied by Claysville American Legion Post 639 Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Claysville United Presbyterian Church, 134 Wayne St., Claysville, Pa, 15323.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Kesterson-Rush Funeral Home LLC., 3275 W. Roy Furman Hwy., Rogersville, PA 15359, 724-499-5181. View and sign a tribute wall at www.kestersonfh.com.