John R. “Bud” Whitehouse, 86, DuBois died Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012 at Christ the King Manor. Born Oct. 22, 1926 in DuBois, he was the son of the late John and Loretta Mae (Warnick) Whitehouse.
He was a graduate of DuBois High School.
He was a World War II veteran, where he served in the U.S. Navy with the Lighter Than Air Unit.
On March 2, 1945, he married Sara Mae “Sally” Swisher. She preceded him in death Nov. 9, 2006.
He retired as the Clearfield County Director of Veteran Affairs after many years of service. Previous to that, he worked as a department manager at Montgomery Ward Co. in DuBois and the V.T. Smith Dairy.
He was a longtime member of the Diplomats Barbershop Chorus and the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. (an organization to promote Barbershop singing in America). He traveled several years ago with his wife to sing with a group of U.S. Barbershop Singers across five countries. He was a lifetime member of both Clearfield and DuBois volunteer fire departments, and was the past president of the Friendship Hose Company #2. He was one of the forces behind the DuBois Gateway Fair Association from its inception. He served as the president for many years. He also gave his time to the Sykesville Fair. He was the past chief of the DuBois Auxiliary Police, where he served as a Special Deputy Sheriff of Clearfield County. He was active in the DuBois Kiwanis and was a past president and Lieutenant Governor of the Pennsylvania Kiwanis. He was active in and served as secretary for the United Commercial Travelers, an active member of the National Campers and Hikers Association and the president and a director of the Keystone Travel Trailer Club. He also was a member of the Salvation Army Board of Directors. He was a member of the George D. Montgomery American Legion Post 17 and the James J. Patterson V.F.W. Post 813. He was president of the Loyal Order of Ruptured Ducks. He was active in the DuBois Senior and Community Center donating his time to deliver Meals on Wheels.
He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church and a member of St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in DuBois. He enjoyed spending time with his family, singing, camping and going to fairs around the country.
He’s survived by his daughters, Sally Jo Spicher and her husband, Robert of DuBois and Kathy Durnell of Jamestown, NY; four grandchildren, Holly Jo, Matthew, Ryan and Krista; three step-grandchildren, Travis, Tracey and Troy; seven great-grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Belva Flegle of Maple Grove, MN; a brother, Neil Whitehouse of White Bear Lake, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, James Whitehouse.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday at the Goble-Baronick Funeral Home and from 9 a.m. until the time of services Monday at Christ the King Manor Chapel.
A military ritual service will be held at 9:45 a.m. Monday at the Christ the King Manor Chapel.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at the Christ the King Manor Chapel with Fr. Matias Quimno as celebrant.
Burial will follow in St. Catherine Cemetery, where full military honors will be accorded by the members of the DuBois Area Honor Guard.
Memorials may be sent to DuBois Area Catholic School, P.O. Box 567, DuBois, PA 15801 and or Christ the King Manor Memory Support Unit, 1100 West Long Ave., DuBois, PA 15801, and or DuBois Regional Medical Center Hospice, 100 Hospital Ave., DuBois, PA 15801.
Online condolences may be sent to www.gbfuneralhome.com.
