Whitmarsh Charles

Charles Whitmarsh Sr.



Charles E. "Whit" Whitmarsh Sr., 79, Topeka, died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, in Springfield, Mo.
Mr. Whitmarsh owned and operated Mike's Used Cars for more than 20 years, and he had worked for several automobile dealers in Topeka. He served in the Navy as a Seaman second class during World War II. He was decorated with the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign medal and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal.

He was born Jan. 19, 1923, in Oberlin, to Jewell and Eulela Sprigg Whitmarsh. He lived most his life in Topeka.

Mr. Whitmarsh was a member of the Moose Lodge and a life member of Philip Billard Post NO. 1650 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He married Virginia L. Dustin in 1947 in Topeka. She died Oct. 24, 1975. Mr. Whitmarsh also was preceded in death by a daughter, Bonnie Whitmarsh, in 1948.

Survivors include a daughter, Gloria Sackrider, Topeka; a stepdaughter, Billie Sue Barrington, Lakeland, Fla.; two sons, Charles E. Whitmarsh Jr., Topeka, and Michael D. Whitmarsh Sr., Wakarusa; his fiance, Alice Garlinger, Topeka; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Parker-Price Mortuary Chapel. Burial with graveside military honors conducted by Post No. 1650 of the VFW will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Mr. Whitmarsh will lie in state after 3 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary, where visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 1653, Topeka, 66601-1653.