Hickory-Josephine L. “Jo” Whitener, 91 of Hickory, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Born June 16, 1927 in Hickory, she was the daughter of late Lawrence Odell LaFone and Carrie Killian LaFone. Jo was a retired billing clerk with Sherrill Furniture and was a lifelong member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church, Mo Synod. Jo shared her time and talents in many ways at St. Stephens and serving as a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League gave her great joy. In addition to her parents, Jo was preceded in death by her husband Clyde P. Whitener, sisters, Hazel Hallman and Sadie Sherrill; brothers Ezra LaFone, Foy LaFone, Glenn LaFone and Fred LaFone, infant brother Buford LaFone; son-in-law Benjy Wheeler and an infant granddaughter Carrie Wheeler. Survivors include her daughter Pat Walsh of Hickory, son Rev. Dr. Phil Whitener, wife Mary of Melbourne, FL, daughter Pam Wheeler of Hickory; grandchildren Jason Walsh, wife Catherine of Raleigh, Benjamin Wheeler and fiancé Kristen Love of Hickory, Joshua Whitener of Cape Canaveral, FL, Caroline Thompson of St. Johns FL,; great granddaughter Payton Thompson, numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 11:45 am, Saturday, July 14, 2018 at St. Stephens Lutheran Church Mo Synod. A Memorial Service will begin at 12, noon, followed by a graveside service with Reverend Dave Guelzow and Reverend David Ziehr officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to St. Stephens LWML, or St. Stephens Lutheran School Endowment Fund, 2304 Springs Road NE, Hickory, NC 28601.
