Raymond Franklin Whitehead, 87, of Festus died June 26, 2014, at Baisch Nursing Center in De Soto. Mr. Whitehead was retired from the painting industry. He had been vice president of Busch & Latta Painting. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a member of the Shriners organization. Born March 16, 1927, in Naylor, he was the son of the late Zetta (Wilson) and Joseph Whitehead. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years: Dorothy Whitehead.
He is survived by two children: Sandra (Dale) Bannister of Farmington and Cathy (Rick) Schanz of Festus; three siblings: Joe Ann Shrum of Roy, Utah; Connie Stevens of Granite City, Ill.; and Bonnie (Gene) Hinton of Pevely; five grandchildren: Jamie King, Rhonda Lawhon, Jason Grindstaff, Jennifer Bell and Megan Schanz; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by six siblings: Homer Whitehead, Elmer “Pete” Whitehead, Vernon Whitehead, Ralph Whitehead, Alfred Whitehead and Mae (Whitehead) Elliott.
Funeral services were held June 30 at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, officiated by Pastor Dale Hartle. Burial was in the Bethany Cemetery in Campbell. Arrangements were under the direction of Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home.