Obituary of Johnny Lee Whitman

Johnny Lee Whitman

August 3, 1935- August 15, 2023

John Whitman of Wellington passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on Tuesday August 15 surrounded by his family. He was born to Katie and George Whitman.

John attended Wellington High School and was a member of several high school championship football and basketball teams. He then attended Colorado State University and majored in Agriculture.

John met his wife Elnora (Harding) Whitman at a German Dutch-Hop dance. They started their 66 year journey on June 29, 1957. Together in the early 1960’s they bought their farm in Wellington and started a dairy and crop farm operation. John loved everything about farming and agriculture. He was proud of the farm he built along with his wife and family. Each year he enjoyed watching the crops grow, taking care of the dairy and the other animals; mending and fixing equipment and reaping the benefits of his hard work.

John found great pleasure spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He had a wonderful sense of humor and could verbally spar with the best of them.

Along with farming and attending his children and grandchildren’s events, John enjoyed visiting relatives, friends and neighbors, listening to polka music and watching Bronco football games.

Later in life, community members could see John and Elnora traveling around the country roads in northern Colorado looking at all of the crops and watching their sons work the fields and of course taking a refreshment stop at McDonalds, A and W, or getting biscuits and gravy at Karl’s Junior.

John and Elnora have four children. Irma Whitman, John (Laurie) Whitman, Tom Whitman, Ron (Brenda) Whitman Eight grandchildren. Karl (Margo) Whitman, Derick (Jessica)Whitman, Gabe (Katie) Whitman, Brennan (Jules)Whitman, Caleb (Soumilee Chaudhuari) Whitman, Josie (Blake Stevens) Whitman, Conner( Lexi Percival)Whitman, Abigail (Dan Ballard)Whitman and 12 great-grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Katie and George Whitman, brothers Rhinnie and Robert Whitman, a step-sister Delores Yeager, a nephew RJ Whitman and a niece Sherry Hilgenberg.

He will be greatly missed by his family. At his request there will be no memorial or funeral.

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