Orville Whithaus

1930-2023

Posted

Orville H. Whithaus, 92, Eureka, formerly of Chamois, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Bethesda Meadow in Ellisville.

He was born Nov. 19, 1930, to the late Edward Henry and Clara Marie (Whertvine) Whithaus in Morrison.

He attended Wittenbach School. 

Orville proudly served his country in the U. S. States Army during the Korean Conflict, where he served as a medic. 

He was united in marriage to Amondalene “Monda” Gerloff Jan. 26, 1952.

Orville was employed at Fulton Bag Company in St. Louis until he was transferred to Jacksonville, Ark., where he worked for Stone Container Company as a supervisor on the second shift. After Orville retired in 1992, he moved to Chamois where he lived for approximately 25 years prior to moving into Victorian Gardens, a senior independent living facility in Eureka.

Orville was a member of the Chamois United Methodist Church and the Chamois Lion Club. 

He loved his family dearly and would do anything he could for them.  Orville also loved animals and they loved him back!

He loved being outdoors and enjoyed going fishing with his buddy Bob while living in Arkansas and having fish fries at family reunions. Orville loved to travel as often as possible and going to Branson at least once a year. 

He was preceded in death by wife of 67 years, Monda; parents, Edward and Clara; brothers, Melvin J. Whithaus and wife Kathryn, Edward A. Whithaus and wife Josephine, Clarence L. Whithaus and Benjamin F. Whithaus and wife Loretta; sister, Gunelda S. Vehleweld and husband Hubert; and in-laws, Josephine Witthaus, Erlene Traschel, Helen Murphy, Sharon Pemberton, Brenda Brandt, Raymond Gerloff, Leo Gerloff, Sr., and Dorsia Gerloff.

Orville is survived by in-laws, Dorothalene Mowery of Ellisville, Patricia Gerloff and Roger Gerloff and wife Shirley, all of Chamois; Leslie Miller (considered his adopted granddaughter) and husband Drew; great-granddaughter, Landry; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Friday, March 24, at Chamois United Methodist Church in Chamois followed by the funeral service at 12:30 p.m., with Rev. Sabra Paulsmeyer officiating.  Interment with Full Military Honors will follow in the Good Hope Cemetery in Morrison.

Memorial contributions suggested to Chamois United Methodist Church or the Chamois Lions Club. 

Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Chamois.