Wayne M. Whittle

Wayne Martin Whittle, 76, passed quietly and gracefully into heaven at his home Wednesday evening, February 23, 2011, to be with his wife Sally Ann and our Lord. Considered by his children and many who knew him well to be the most interesting man in the world, long before the phrase was popular, he will be deeply missed. Born on April 21, 1934 in the same Missouri farmhouse he was raised in during the Great Depression he worked the farm with his family growing up and became a star basketball player on the Golden City high school team. His interests eventually led him away from the simple farm life onto the University of Missouri in Columbia before joining the U.S. Army stationed in France and traveling the world. Upon his return, he met the love of his life, Sally Ann Hendricks. They married and had three loving children, Leianne Whittle Sanclemente, Leisha Whittle Burnett, and John Whittle. The quiet suburban Kansas City neighborhood they called home served as a warm and loving home as well as an office for searching out the next great international business opportunity or new invention. These ventures, although not always successful, let him teach his children to dream big dreams and with his guidance to eventually achieve them. His colorful and gentle personality made him a favorite of everyone in the neighborhood as well as family friends. He always made time to help others whether it was to fix a broken bicycle or car, brainstorm the next great invention, devise a clever business plan, or just lend an ear as a friend. Sally's tragic early passing was one of many adversities he successfully overcame with perseverance and grace. His later years were devoted to spending time with his family and grandchildren, working elections, tracing the Whittle genealogy, and organizing reunions with his high school classmates. His happiness and love for others are an example for us all. His three loving children, sons-in-law, John Sanclemente and Rob Burnett, and grandchildren Kristina Ann and Lauren Nicole Sanclemente, and Cayla Marie and John Robert Burnett survive him. Visitation will be held on Monday 6:00-8:00 p.m. February 28th, at Mount Moriah and Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1st at Mount Moriah and Freeman Chapel. Burial in Mount Moriah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Catholic Charities of Kansas City (www.catholiccharities-kcsj.org). Condolences can be made at: www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home in Kansas City, MO