Henry Whitman

Our loving Hank passed away on April 26th, 2017 at the age of 85 in Centennial, Colorado. Henry “Hank” Norman Eugene Whitman was born on September 10th, 1931 to Jake Whitman and Anna Whitman (Markus) in Ione, Colorado. Hank came from a large farming family that included nine brothers and sisters. He was the fourth of nine children. Jake “Vernon” Whitman (deceased 2011), married to Elizabeth “Betty” Whitman Ralph Wilber Whitman, married to Gloria Jean Whitman (deceased) Robert Leroy Whitman (deceased 1965) Betty Ann Whitman (Ziegler), married to Stanley Ziegler (deceased 2013) Lillian Margaret Whitman (Stecklein) (deceased 2007), married to Donald Stecklein (deceased) John William Whitman Myron Dean Whitman (deceased 2016), married to Bonnie Lou Whitman Sharon Lee Whitman (Wallace), married to William Wallace Hank graduated from Aurora High School in 1949 and then was enlisted in the United States Army in 1953. He was a company clerk/Sargent during the Korean War. He married Mary Jane Irsik in 1957 and had three children. *Denise Ann Kellogg (Whitman) 57, married to George Kellogg 58, of Bartlett, TN *Dennis Eugene Whitman 55, of Aurora, MO *Shane Calvin Whitman 44, of Laramie, WY Hank worked for a trucking company, worked and retired as a Denver RTD bus driver, managed his own upholstery business and loved bowling, camping, and fishing. He was married to Mary Jane until her death in 1989. Hank married Deanna Marie O’Kane (Feldhaus) in 1999 and started a new life together in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He inherited three stepchildren, who considered him a loving father figure and friend. *Stephen Lawrence O’Kane Jr. 60, married to Arlene Frances Prather-O’Kane 63, of Cedar Falls, IA *Michelle Ann Grimes (O’Kane) 56, of Centennial, CO *Felicia Colleen Knauer (O’Kane) 48, married to Tom Gregory Knauer 54, of Highlands Ranch, CO Henry had an infectious smile and laugh, was always willing to lend a skilled hand to fix anything, and was a kind, patient, and gentle man who loved nature, animals, and especially his family. He was proud of his grandson, Wade Calvin Kellogg of Bartlett, TN. Hank shared his love of fishing with Wade. Hank also had eight step-grandchildren who adored him and thought of him as Grandpa Hank. *Carly Colleen Holbrook (Grimes), married to Jason Ross Holbrook of Boulder, CO *Sara Beth Mancuso (Weichers), married to Mitch Lars Mancuso of Cape Coral, FL *Logan Michelle Zeman (O’Kane), married to Matthew Thomas Zeman of Shanghai, China *Ashley Faith Davenport (O’Kane) married to Travis Robert Davenport of Evansdale, IA *Randon Calhoun Grimes, married to Jennifer Lynn Grimes (Pultorak) of Frederick, CO *Courtney Michelle Knauer of Hallandale, Fl *Kendra Marie Knauer of Highlands Ranch, CO *Karissa Nicole Knauer of Highlands Ranch, CO Henry was blessed with one great grandson, Reid Calvin Kellogg of Bartlett, TN and recently became a step-great-granddad to Eloise Imogene Holbrook and Alice McClure Holbrook, both of Boulder, CO. Hank and Deanna spent their retirement years traveling by RV, fishing, boating, going to Black Hawk and Central City, attending Scottie Club meetings, attending senior church groups, and enjoying their dogs. Hank continued to be the master mister fix-it and was known to upholster many antique pieces of furniture. He also made many creative bird houses. Hank lived his final years at Someren Glen Retirement Community where he enjoyed Deanna’s frequent visits and the friendship of many new friends. He was elected and served as the president of the Residence Council and was the Community’s “official” visitor-greeter. Hank taught us how to love, how to laugh, and how to persevere in the face of adversity and pain. He will be dearly missed by the many family members and friends who couldn’t help but love him.