Spencerville;  Gene O. Whetstone, 78, of Spencerville, passed away at Mercy Health St. Rita's Medical Center at 9:59 PM Tuesday, October 12, 2021, with his wife at his side.

He was born on the family farm December 28, 1942 West of Spencerville in Van Wert County, a son of the late Clarence L. and G. Marcille Zimmerman Whetstone. On April 17, 1970 he married Janet L. Owens, who survives, along with three children; Jennifer L. (Joseph) Lotz of Anchorage, AK., Bradley E. (Slone) Whetstone and Carrie A. King, both of Spencerville; 10 grandchildren,  6 great grandchildren and 2 siblings; Danelda (James) Roberts of Wapakoneta and Nieta (Gene) Border of Cridersville.

Gene was preceded in death by 2 siblings, Vonda (Max) McMichael and Edward "Eddie" Whetstone

He was raised on the family farm and a 1960 graduate of Spencerville High School. He served in the Ohio National Guard for 9 years, working and raising his own family on the farm. In addition to farming, Gene owned and operated a sawmill business. This included cutting down trees, cutting them into boards and drying them into usable lumber. Woodworking was a favorite pastime, especially handcrafting toys for his grandchildren. He was a hunter. His hunting trips out West were his favorite.

Visiting Alaska to see his daughter and her family was another thing that brought him great pleasure.

Funeral services will be 11 AM Saturday in the Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville with Pastor Phil Lee officiating. Burial will follow in the Kossuth Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2/4 and 6/8 PM Friday and after 10 AM Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions for Gene may be made to the Spencerville Ambulance Service.

Condolences may be sent to    tbayliff@woh.rr.com