David "Dave" Norton Whitehill

David “Dave” Norton Whitehill was born May 24, 1936 in Shenandoah, Iowa to Carl and Thelma Norton Whitehill. He passed away June 7, 2017 after a short battle with cancer.
Dave grew up and attended school in Shenandoah, Iowa. After graduation from Shenandoah High School, he joined the Navy in 1955 and served as a radio technician in various stations including Alaska, Hawaii, and the South Pacific.

His father died in 1960. At that time, Dave continued operating the family farm. Dave married Deloris McGinnis on June 14, 1961 in Coin, Iowa. They continued to operate the family farm after their marriage. Over the next few years, Dave and Deloris had three children: Shelly, Jody, and Jay.

Dave grew tired of crop farming and cold Iowa winters and, in February 1969, he moved his family to Mountain Grove, Missouri where he began a farming operation specializing in feeder pigs. As the farm grew, the focus changed, and for the past several years Dave has enjoyed raising beef cattle. He was respected by all who knew him as a good cattle man who maintained excellent fields of grass for pasture and hay. Deloris was his constant companion and helper on the farm.

Dave and Deloris were active in Trinity United Methodist Church, serving in several capacities since moving to Mountain Grove. He worked tirelessly with others on helping to maintain the church building and equipment. His knowledge and energy will be sorely missed.

Dave was quick to smile and had a great sense of humor. As many friends can attest, he was a pleasure to be around. He was not afraid to tackle any task and he accomplished most everything he set out to do. He was gentle, but strong. Simply stated, he was a good man.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Allan; and two sisters, Patsy and Lois.

He is survived by his loving wife, Deloris, of the home; his daughter, Shelly Mitchell and her husband, Dan, of Battlefield, Missouri; two sons, Jody Whitehill and his wife, Jan, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, and Jay Whitehill of Springfield, Missouri; two grandchildren, Jamie (Whitehill) Holloway and her husband, Nick, and Jared Whitehill; two step-grandchildren, Stephanie (Mitchell) Hanna and her husband, Tim, and James Mitchell and his wife, Christy; four step-great-grandchildren, Peyton, Gavin, and Claire Hanna, and Owen Mitchell; one brother, Vance Whitehill and his wife, Donna, of Stapleton, Nebraska; one brother-in-law, Lee McGinnis and his wife, Bev, of Nebraska City, Nebraska; as well as several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends and extended family.