Rodney Ellsworth Whan, 83, of Knox City, Missouri, passed away at his home on February 14, 2011.
He was born on December 29, 1927, in Bemidji, Minnesota, to Bert E. and Bertha A. (Sego) Whan. He married Delah May Thrasher in Shelbina, Missouri, on September 9, 1951.
He attended elementary school in Mercer, Missouri; Junior high school in Quincy, Illinois; and graduated first in his class from Lewistown High School.
Rodney was a farmer and farmed most of his adult life near Knox City. He served in the United States Army as a CPL in the 209 Military Police Company in Yokohama, Japan. He worked as a Desk Sgt. at the Yokohama Central Police Station and served in General MacArthur's Special Guard Unit. He was also trained in the operation of anti-aircraft guns at Fort Bliss, Texas. After returning home from the service, he worked at the Rock Island, Illinois, Arsenal as an engine specialist on the Sherman tank. He later worked as a mechanic for Allis Chalmers in Memphis, Missouri; International Harvester in Quincy, Illinois; and Allis Chalmers in Canton, Missouri. The Allis Chalmers Company regarded him as an expert on the repair and maintenance of their roto-baler. For many years, he operated a repair garage on his farm. He enjoyed farming, helping neighbors and friends, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hurdland, Missouri, and was a born-again Christian.
He is survived by his wife Delah, of the home, a daughter, Barbara (Whan) Russell and husband, Mike, of Warrensburg, Missouri; a son David Whan, of Knox City, Missouri; a daughter-in-law, Pam (Fuehring) Whan of Versailles, Missouri; and a son-in-law, Milton Bost, of Chatham, Illinois. Also surviving are six grandsons and two granddaughters including Braden Bost and wife, Dona, of Seattle, Washington; Gavin Bost of Chatham, Illinois; Nathan Bost, of Springfield, Illinois; Justin Russell, of Louisburg, Kansas; Jaime (Russell) Miller and husband, David, of Holden, Missouri; Ethan Whan, Evan Whan, and Hannah Whan, all of Versailles, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Debra E. (Whan) Bost in September 1988; a son, Dwight E. Whan in April 2009, and two brothers, Homer Whan and Orville Whan.
Funeral services will be held 10 A.M. Friday, February 18, 2011, at the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, Missouri. Reverend Robert Shobe and Reverend Ernest Deatrick will officiate the services. Burial will be in Park View Memorial Gardens in Kirksville, Missouri. Music will be provided by Carol Hayes, organist and Milton Bost, soloist, singing "Amazing Grace" and "Mansion Over The Hilltop". Recorded musical selections will be "Go Rest High On that Mountain" and "Temporary Home".
Casket bearers will be Larry Walker, Bill Hayes, Rex Sykes, Dale Laske, Chris Harrison and Jeff Whan.
Honorary bearers will be Byron Fowler, Larry Davis, Ray Drage, Bill Whan, Bob White and Donnie Ray Carper.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 17, 2011, after 4 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Hurdland First Baptist Church. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, Missouri, 63537.
www.hudsonrimerfh.com