Chester F. Whitacre

Leetonia - June 16, 2008 - Chester F. "Whit" Whitacre, 89, of 783 Columbia Street, died at 4:20 a.m. Monday at the Parkside Health Care Center in Columbiana.

Mr. Whitacre was born October 31, 1918 in Salem Township, a son of Frank and Mayme Lodge Whitacre and had lived in this area all of his life.

He was a woodworker for the former Franklin Furniture in Columbiana for many years. He was also a custodian for the Leetonia Schools for fourteen years, retiring in 1983 and he enjoyed farming. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Leetonia. Chester served in the US Army during World War II where he served two years as a tank driver under George S. Patton in the European Theater. He was a member of the Joe Williams Post #131 American Legion in Leetonia and the York Drexler Post #5532 VFW in Washingtonville.

He is survived by his wife, the former Eleanor R. Anglemyer, whom he married September 5, 1942; two daughters, Karen Smith of Gibsonburg, OH and Mrs. Robert (Christine) Steele of Cortland; four grandchildren, Heather, Jason, David and Joshua; and five great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 20, 2008 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Leetonia with Pastor Kari Lankford officiating. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery with military honors being accorded by the Salem Amvets-VFW Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Woods-Rettig Funeral Home, Leetonia and one hour prior to the service Friday at the church.

Material tributes may be made to Hospice of the Valley, the Leetonia-Washingtonville Alumni Scholarship Fund, or the church organ fund.