S. L. Whitman

S. L. Whitman, age 84, of Bolivar, departed this life Friday, April 22, 2016 in Lexington.

The widower of Earlene Whitman, he worked for Baker Manufacturing in Bolivar from 1951-2009 when he retired. He was born Friday, July 31, 1931 in Chester County, son of the late Ed and Maudie Mosier Whitman and lived there until he married Earlene on November 30, 1951, at which point they moved to Bolivar. Earlene preceded him in death on July 16, 2009 and he lived in Bolivar until 2013, moving to Lexington after that. He briefly lived in Henderson before his death. A master woodcrafter, he enjoyed working with all types of wood. Other hobbies he had included gardening, fishing, listening to country music, watching boxing matches and old Clint Eastwood western movies and reminiscing about old times. His favorite pastimes always included being around his family, whom he dearly loved, and his special dog, Tabitha, who will greatly miss his presence. Mr. Whitman was a Baptist in faith.

Survivors include a son, Ronald Mathis of Dennison, TX; two daughters, Jennifer Lahti of Jackson and Brittany (Brett) Carter of Lexington; and two sisters, Ruby Horn and Betty Ricketts, both of Henderson. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Rickey Mathis; a sister, Gladys Davidson; and four brothers, Floyd, J.D., Cletus & Herbert Whitman. The family requests memorial donations in Mr. Whitman's name be made to the American Heart Association. (www.heart.org/donate)