Harry James Whitman

Harry"Abe" James Whitman, Jr., 83, of Stizerville Road, Cochranton, passed away Saturday morning, December 18, 2010 at the Meadville Medical Center. Born January 29, 1927, in Sugarcreek Township, Harry was the son of the late Harry J. Sr., and Sophia Mae Eckel Whitman. He was married to the former Bernice Rose Savugo and she preceded him in death. Harry was a WWII Army Veteran. He served with the 88th Division in Italy and spent three years in Alaska with the Army Air Force. Harry had been employed as a Tool and Die Maker for Shaw Industries, Chicago Pneumatic Tool and Joy Manufacturing before his retirement. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was owner and operator of "Whitman's Tropical Fish Store" for many years. Harry is survived by his 5 sons, James Whitman and his wife, Marion, of Franklin, David A. Whitman, Sr., and his wife, Teresa, of Cochranton, Steven E. Whitman and his wife, Brenda, of Cochranton, Eric M. Whitman and his wife, Diane, of Cooperstown, and Craig Whitman and his wife, Darlene, of Franklin; and his two daughters, Bonnie L. Yeager and her husband, John, of Cooperstown, and Brenda J. Wyant and her husband, Craig, of Bradford. He is also survived by his brother, John Whitman of Franklin; and his two sisters, Mary Slocum of Franklin, and Marsha Grove and her husband, Charles, of Dayton, Ohio. Additionally, Harry is survived by his sixteen grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, Harry was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Mae Whitman; and his two brothers, Kenneth Whitman and Floyd (Ed) Whitman. Friends of Harry will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin on Wednesday, December 22 , from 1 to 5 p.m. Funeral Services for Harry will be held at the Funeral Home at 5 p.m. following visitation, with Rev. Nageotte, interim pastor of the Rocky Grove Presbyterian Church, officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the VETS Honor Guard. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - 505 North Parkway, Box 3704, Memphis TN 38103. Interment will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.