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Michael Whiteman Obituary
Michael W. Whiteman, 54, of Penn Forest Township, Jim Thorpe, passed away Thursday, June 16, 2022, at his home. He was the husband of Joy R. (Sheehan) Whiteman.
They were together for 27 years and celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary on May 27.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of Sandra J. (Ferko) Whiteman of Lehighton and the late Glenn R. Whiteman. He was of the Catholic faith.
He graduated from St. Peter and Paul Parochial School in 1981, Lehighton Area High School in 1985, then attended the Antonelli Art School of Philadelphia.
Mike was as a graphic designer for Techna-Graphics Services in Lehighton until the company closed. He then worked as a truck driver for Mauer & Scott Sales Inc., Coopersburg, and Superior Plus Propane of White Haven.
He was a member of the Mauch Chunk Rod & Gun Club, lifetime social member of the Lehighton Fire Department, and a long-standing board member of Hickory Run Forest Estates.
He was an artist, musician, great friend to many and an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He often talked about great childhood memories of watching and painting with his grandfather George Ferko. He also enjoyed vacationing in Florida to visit with family members.
He had a great and unique sense of humor and always made us laugh. Mostly, though, Mike loved spending time at home. On holidays he would remark on how lucky they were to live in the mountains and could enjoy the beautiful view every day. He enjoyed taking pride in his home and property, sitting on the deck, playing cards, board games, watching movies and listening to music with Joy and their beloved dogs, Zoey and Teddy.
Preceded in death by his father, Glenn R. Whiteman I; grandparents, Milo Whiteman and wife Ethel (Koch), George Ferko II and wife Alma (Wagner).
Surviving, in addition to his wife and mother, are a brother, Glenn R. Whiteman II, and wife Nidia, of Lehighton; sisters, Amy, wife of Shawn Rehrig, Angela, wife of Michael Hogan, all of Deland, FL; nieces and nephews, Jada and Chris Whiteman, Steven Rehrig, Brielle and Benjamin Hogan, Emma Dunbar; aunts and uncles.
Service: A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 23, in St. Peter & Paul's Catholic Church, 260 N. 3rd St., Lehighton, with the Rev. Christopher M. Zelonis officiating. Memorial visitation 10-11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be sent to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
The Melber Funeral Home, Jim Thorpe, is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Whiteman
Sponsored by Edward F Melber Funeral Home.
Brandy (Moser) Allen
July 8, 2022
Joy and family I am so sorry to hear of Mike's passing. Joy told me so many stories of you when I was her bus aide at CLIU #21. Love, thoughts, peace and prayers to you in this time.
Brandy (Moser) Allen
Jeff Mulitsch
June 29, 2022
I had the pleasure of working with Mike for a few years, We always had a lot of laughs quoting movie lines and trying to guess which movie it was from, He was a great person and he will be missed.
Your Best friend always " JIMBO"
June 24, 2022
MIKE HAD NICKNAMES FOR ME. HE CALLED ME JIMMY BOB OR HIS FAVORITE ONE, JIMBO
MIKEY MIKE OR WHAT I CALLED YOU MOST...WHITEY TIGHTY BOY WAS NOT JUST THE FUNNIEST PERSON WE EVER KNEW IN OUR LIVES, HE WAS ALSO ONE OF THE GREATEST, CLOSEST FRIENDS A PERSON COULD HAVE
JUST THIS WINTER AFTER I HAD ROTATOR CUFF SURGERY AND ENDED UP IN A SLING THROUGH DEC. and JAN, MIKE OFFERED TO COME CLEAN OUR SNOW ALL WINTER.
OF COURSE HE TOLD ME "HIS PLACE" AND "UNCLE MICK´S" WERE FIRST ON THE LIST BUT HE WOULD ALWAYS CALL US AFTER EACH STORM TO SEE IF WE NEEDED ANY HELP.
MIKE ALSO KNEW THAT WE WERE HEART-BROKEN AFTER LOSING OUR DOG JADE IN JANUARY. HE CALLED OFTEN TO COMFORT AND SUPPORT US AFTER HER LOSS. HE KNEW WE WERE WORKING TO RESCUE ANOTHER BRITTANY AS TIME WENT ON.
# JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO WE WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADOPT A RESCUE FROM A FOSTER HOME IN MASSACHUSETTS.
I NEVER COULD IMAGINE ANYONE WOULD BE SO EXCITED OVER FRIENDS GETTING A NEW DOG, BUT HE CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES AND EVEN TOLD US HOW HE WAS COMING TO VISIT HER ON OUR FIRST DAY AND THAT WE SHOULD SEND A PICTURE AS SOON AS THE TRANSPORT TEAM DROPPED HER OFF TO US.
THAT TRULY WILL STAY WITH US FOREVER.
THROUGH THE YEARS WE SAW HIS TRUE LOVE OF HIS WIFE JOY AND ALSO THE LOVE OF HIS DOGS WHO MEANT THE WORLD TO HIM. ZOË WAS TRULY HIS BABY GIRL!
I ALSO WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW HOW MUCH HE LOVED HIS MOM, SANDY. HE WAS VERY PROTECTIVE OF HER IN EVERY WAY AND TALKED ABOUT HER OFTEN TO US!
I´ll FOREVER MISS THE GREAT TIMES YOU, JOY, DENISE AND I HAD LAUGHING FOR HOURS AT YOUR AWESOME SENNSE OF HUMOR.
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN WHITEY TIGHTY BOY, I´LL ALWAYS KEEP YOU IN MY HEART BUDDY
Joe Simmons and Lori Newhart
June 23, 2022
Joy,Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Brad and Deb Doll
June 22, 2022
So many years of hearing Mike´s´ big laugh! Our hearts hurt where the hole is. He is and will be missed. Love to Joy
Susan Shupp
June 21, 2022
May you find piece knowing he is in the arms of our lord. I worked with Mike at Techna Graphics. He was such a great person always made you laugh and had patience teaching me.
Gloria Bowman
June 21, 2022
Dear Sandy and family,
My condolences on the passing of Michael. You will be in my prayers and thoughts.
Noreen Rosanio
June 21, 2022
My heart is broken for Joy. Sending prayers & hugs to the families.
Claire McGinley
June 21, 2022
Joy, My thoughts and prayers are with you. Claire McGinley
John Murphy
June 20, 2022
Very sorry to hear of Michael's passing. I enjoyed working with and getting to know him while he was at Maurer and Scott. He was a kind hearted individual with a great sense of humor and will surely be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Joy whom he talked about often and the rest of Mike's family.
John Murphy
June 20, 2022
I'm truly sorry to hear of Mike passing. I worked with him at Maurer and Scott while he was there. He was a good kind hearted person and had a great sense of humor. My condolences to his wife Joy and all of his family.
Laurie J. Plotsko
June 20, 2022
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of loss. May you find comfort in your memories in the days ahead.
KATHY (BRONKO) DRUMHELLER
June 20, 2022
My deepest sympathy to Joy and all of Mike's family.
I worked with Mike at Techna-Graphics for many years.
He was always making everyone laugh. He was a great guy and a good friend. He will be missed.
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