Robert LeRoy Whitener

Robert LeRoy Whitener, 81, passed away Saturday, April 2, 2011, at the Caruthersville Nursing Center in Caruthersville, Mo. He was born Oct. 6, 1929, in Fredericktown, Mo., to LeRoy Whitener and Vivian Rond Whitener. He was united in marriage to Mary Frances Martin on Feb. 21, 1947, in Piggott.

He was a lifelong resident of the Hayti area. He graduated from Hayti High School and attended Central Methodist College in Fayette, Mo. He was a farmer and attended the Presbyterian Church. He was a devoted husband and father and took great pride in his family. He was active in various activities around Hayti, but was especially proud of his work with the local Boy Scouts and Little League Baseball Association. Through his work with the Boy Scouts, Mr. Whitener was appointed to the Order of the Arrow and later received the Boy Scouts' highest civilian award, the Silver Beaver. He was instrumental in the formation of the local Little League program and could be counted on to assist the youth of Hayti in numerous other projects. He served on the Pemiscot Memorial Health System Board and was on the Board of Directors for the Bank of Hayti. He was loved and respected by everyone he came into contact with and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Preceding Mr. Whitener in death was a daughter, Mary Lynn Thompson and his parents.

He leaves the love of his life, his wife of 64 years, Mary Frances;

A daughter, Cara Lee Peterson;

A son, Glen Whitener and his wife, Connie;

A sister, Harriet Ann Dean;

A brother, Claude L. Whitener;

Eight grandchildren; and

Eight great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were Sunday in Woodlawn Cemetery in Hayti, Mo. with the Rev. Dr. Paul Currie and the Rev. Rickey Lyle officiating. H.S. Smith Funeral Home of Caruthersville was in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers for Mr. Whitener were Jared Gurley, Justin Schroeder, Ed Reeves, Matthew Pierce, Robert H. Whitener and John Clyde Thompson.

The family requests any memorials be made to the Boy Scouts of America.