John Whitehead

CHARLESTON -- John David Whitehead, 63, died July 8, 2012, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Born Nov. 14, 1948, in Mississippi County, to the late William C. and Lucy Pauline Farmer Whitehead, he had lived most of his life in Charleston where he was a member of the St. Henry Catholic Church. A graduate of Charleston High School, he was employed at French Implement Company for many years until his retirement.

On Dec. 16, 2000, he married Barbara Jean Carter Griggs who preceded him in death on Sept. 28, 2011.

He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Richard W. Whitehead and Frank Russell Whitehead, and three sisters, Carla Jo Knaup, Jenny Lee Wedeking and Nancy Susan Risko.

Survivors include: seven brothers, Charles D. Whitehead of Jefferson City, William C. Whitehead Jr. of Emporia, Va., Arthur Jesse Whitehead of Sikeston, George Irvin Whitehead of O'Lean, James F. Whitehead of Wyatt and Benjamin A. Whitehead and Robert A. Whitehead of Charleston.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until time of services at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. The Rev. Larry Potts, pastor of Mighty Rivers Worship Center in Cairo, Ill., will officiate.

Burial will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston.

Pallbearers will be: George Irvin Whitehead, James F. Whitehead, Benjamin A. Whitehead, Robert A. Whitehead, Spencer Clayton Whitehead and Berry Hooper.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.