Donald R. Whitsel,89, of Mifflintown, passed away at 1:40 a.m. on Friday, August 19, 2022 at the Wynwood House of Centre Hall.
Born on March 18, 1933 in Granville Twp., Mifflin County, he was a son of the late Frederick H. and Margaret (Renninger) Whitsel. On August 10, 1957 he married his surviving wife, Audrienne (Northcraft) Whitsel, with whom he was blessed to share more than 65 years of marriage.
Surviving are his children, Larry T. Whitsel and his wife, Joan of Herman, Maine, Nanette W. Stake and her husband, James of Lewistown, Jon F. Whitsel and his wife, Melissa of Centre Hall, four grandchildren, Jennifer M. Stratton and her husband, Scott, Theodore J. Stake and his wife, Kristi, Zachary F. Whitsel, Ashley A. Whitsel and four great grandchildren, Max Bustamante, Kolton Stake, Bennett Stratton, and Gage Dobson.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert H. Whitsel, Jay Whitsel and three sisters, Betty Jane Eberly, Dorothy P. Breault, Norma Lee Haimes, making him the last of his immediate generation.
In 1951 he graduated from the former Bratton McVeytown -Oliver High School and in 1955 received his Bachelor of Science degree from Shippensburg Teachers College.
He retired with 31 years of service from the Juniata County School District as a teacher at East Juniata High School and early on in his career he had served as athletic director of the school.
His memberships included, the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where he served as treasurer, Sunday school teacher and church historian. He had also belonged to the Juniata County Historical Society, where he served as treasurer.
Donald had a passion for history, reading and he was an avid Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles fan. He also volunteered his time reading the newspaper to the blind on the radio.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 22, 2022, from the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 100 Bridge St., Mifflintown with the Pastor Mindy Petrovcic officiating. Interment will follow in the Union Memorial Gardens, Mifflintown.
Viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home until the time of service.
For those who desire memorial contributions in Mr. Whitsel’s memory may be made to the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 109 N. Third Street, Mifflintown, PA 17059.