John Whittington

JACKSON, Mo. -- John E. Whittington, 77, died Friday, July 19, 2002, at his home. Friends may call Sunday between 5 and 9 p.m. at the McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

An Elks service will be held at 7 p.m. Funeral service will be Monday, July 22, at 10 a.m., at the funeral home, followed by internment in Russell Heights Cemetery with a graveside military honor service. Dr. Grand Gillard will officiate.

Loving survivors include three daughters, Linda Lee Whittington of Jackson, Mo., Kathy Jo Siebert and husband Steve of Fruitland, Mo., and Gaye Lynn Laird, of Jackson; one brother, Melvin Whittington of Decatur, Ill.; one sister, Mary Margaret Bumgardner of Boynton Beach, Fla.; three grandsons, Scott Whittington and wife Dixie, Nick and Zack Laird, all of Jackson; and one great-grandson, Brent Whittington of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Donald Whittington.

Mr. Whittington was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Army from Oct. 3, 1944, through Aug. 5, 1946, having attained the rank of sergeant. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Jackson, a life member of the VFW in Chester, Ill., the American Legion in Cape Girardeau and had been a member of the Silver Jubilee Club in Cape Girardeau.

He worked many years as a truck driver for ABF Freight Systems, retiring in 1987.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the American Heart Association.