George R. Whitefield
Died Jan. 18, 2019
ELMWOOD
TOWNSHIP – George
Robert Whitefield, 91, of Elmwood Township, passed away Friday, Jan. 18, 2019
at home surrounded by his loving family.
George was born May 2, 1927 in Highland Park, the only
child of George Boyd Whitefield and Hattie Ophelia (Wolvin) Whitefield. He married his loving wife Leah Marylyn
(Clarke) on Oct. 12, 1950 in Redford Township. He was preceded in death by his parents, and
his loving wife, Leah. At 91, George had
seen this country change dramatically. He served state side in the Korean War. He watched sixteen presidents guide our
country through his life.
Being an only child, he cherished his cousins as they became like
siblings to him. He had a love for his
family that was very powerful. Many
things stand out but above all it was his faithfulness to God! He set a Godly example that was reflected in
the lives of his family. For over 30
years, he was a loving caretaker of his dearest wife Leah. His advice to his children, when leaving his
home... was “drive careful, you have a precious load”. When he learned of his grandchildren’s milk
allergies, he acquired goats so they could have an alternative. His grandchildren would often gravitate to his
lap. In his quiet humble way, he showed
us the importance of faith in our God, dedication, and to always have a helping
hand.
George was a jack of all trades, he could fix everything and
anything and he loved sharing his knowledge to teach what he learned
first-hand. The earliest memories are of
him delivering the US mail, then on to delivering milk, farm manager, hardware
buyer, and lastly, a Certified Master Carpet Technician. He took pride in becoming an expert in all
these fields.
4-H was a great love of his. George was recognized in the community for founding
the 4-H Livestock Market program. George
taught, explained, and was a leader. He
wanted a healthy outlet to teach 4-H kids. The program inspired hundreds of young people
to develop life-long skills and become leaders guided by the 4-H values of
Head, Heart, Hand, and Health. He was on
the Northwestern Michigan Fair Board, and instrumental in moving the
Northwestern Michigan Fair to its current location today.
As a family our admiration for him was high. He will be remembered for the way he lived his
life. His legacy is carried on through
his family, you will see examples of the skills, craftsmanship, care,
dedication, work ethic, leadership, and selflessness all throughout Traverse
City and Leelenau county.
The family expresses their deepest appreciation to Hospice of
Michigan and Comfort Keepers for their care and love to our dearest George.
George is survived by his four children, Linda (Richard)
Smith, Rebecca (Michael) Flees, Wayne (Sue) Whitefield and Beth Ann (Donald)
Szilagyi; his sixteen grandchildren, Jennifer (Kevin) Ott, Heather (Josh)
Tjader, Jason Smith, Jon (Chelsea) Smith and Sarah (Wes) Anderson; Matthew
(James) Flees, Benjamin (Lisa) Flees; Michelle (Loren) Dellar, Jon (Gretchen)
Whitefield, Josh Whitefield, Mary (Kenny) Lalonde, Jane (Michael) Goldberg, Jim
Whitefield, Joe (Jessica) Whitefield; Christina (Brent) Roland, Donald (Anita)
Szilagyi; his twenty-eight great grandchildren, Caden Ott; Aleya, Joslin and
Sven Tjader; Lanora, Kaedence and Hannah Flees, Blake, Blaire, Bailey, Blayne,
Brayden and Bryce Dellar; Piper, Raven, Harper and Skyla Whitefield; Quinten,
Kaden, Nicolas, Mason and Barrett Goldberg; Channing Szilagyi, Bailey Williams,
Cade Roland; Ricky and Rebecca Smith and Paige Tardiff; and many loving
cousins, nieces and nephews.
Leah preceded him in death on March 28, 2013.
Visitation
will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the Martinson Funeral Home of
Suttons Bay. The funeral service will be
held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23 with family greeting friends at 12 noon
also at the funeral home. Matthew Jensen
and Thane Nelson will officiate. Burial
in Keswick Maple Grove Cemetery will be announced in the spring.
Memorials
may be directed to Leelanau County 4-H, 8527 E. Government Center Drive, Suite
107, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 and/or Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy,
Ste 1155, Traverse City, MI 49684.
Please share condolences and memories with George’s
family below:
It has been seven years since I was introduced to Bob by George Gittins. Also over four years since my trip to Traverse City where we spent quality time together. I met all his family while there, and we chatted by phone or mails ever since. My thought are each one if the family, so pleased I got to know Bob, and outstanding friend, Erle
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers go out to George's family. I enjoyed the time I got to spend with him. I will never forget him or the many conversations we had. God Bless.
ReplyDelete~Shannon Makowski, CK
Thinking of you during your loss. Bob was a friend of my dad years ago. We always enjoyed visiting with him at Alma. He will be missed. We appreciate his Godly example.
ReplyDeleteRocky & Karen Dalrymple
My condolences to all of you. My husband, Ronald Morris, lived with George Robert and his family during the weeks after his mother, Leona, died at a young age and Marvin was working at the Pottery. He always spoke so highly of George Robert and I think he almost looked at him as being his older brother. I have always thought that George Robert was a kind, caring, loving and religious person and I am sure you feel the same way. I will keep you in my prayers and share the information with Ron's children.
ReplyDelete