Robert Allen Whitney

Robert A. Whitney, Jr., 70, of Benton Harbor, passed away, Friday, April 30, 2004, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 1:00pm, Monday, May 10, 2004, at the Benton Harbor VFW Post 1137, 2616 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, with Pastor Koehneke officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by Coloma American Legion #362, VFW #1137 Benton Harbor, and VFW #6803 Watervliet, at a private graveside service at Crystal Springs Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society. Those wishing to sign the guest book or share a memory online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Robert was born on July 22, 1933 in Benton Harbor to Eleanor (Gray) and Robert Whitney, Sr. He owned United Diesel for 25 years. He served his country in the US Navy during the Korean War. Robert was a member of the VFW #1137 of Benton Harbor, and a member of Peace Lutheran Church. Robert is survived by his sons ? Robert Whitney, III, and Steven Newberry, both of Washington, Larry Whitney of St. Joseph, Michael Whitney of Coloma; daughters ? Deborah Holland, and Eleanor Bivins, both of Washington, and Jennifer Allain of Niles; twenty-three grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; cousins ? Hugh Raisky of New York, and Cathy Lindenfeld of Michigan, and Neville Whitney, Jr. He is preceded in death by his daughter Christine Thomsen; his parents; and granddaughter Nichole Whitney.