Jim Whitver

Our loving dad, brother and grandpa went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 1, 2006. He died of natural causes while at McKee Hospital Hospice Center in Loveland. Jim, as known to family and friends, was born Dec. 17, 1916, in Amboy, Ill., to Joseph Edgar Whitver and Ida Mary Dishong Whitver. Jim graduated from Amboy Township High School in 1934 and was the senior class president. On Aug. 4, 1936, Jim enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to CV-1 USS Langley, the Navy's first aircraft carrier. While aboard the Langley they were a part of the search for the missing Amelia Earhart. After four years of service he returned home only for a short time before he was drafted into the Army for World War II. Upon the military's learning of his prior naval service he was transferred back into the Navy. Other ships he served on were the Kitty Hawk, Chateau Thierry, APA USS Laporte, YMS Auxiliary minesweeper and the USS Latimer. He retired from the Navy as a lieutenant commander. After military retirement he returned home to Illinois for a short time before settling in Durango. Employment there included work at the Durango Herald, Vanadium Mining Corp., and as bartender at the Grand Palace. Jim was also commander of the Legion Post and color guard for the Drum and Bugle Corps. Jim met Karen J. Hays and married her in 1967. Jim lovingly assumed responsibility of Karen's three young children. Jim and Karen had a daughter of their own in 1970 and in 1971 they relocated to Fort Collins. Jim worked in construction until he became employed at CSU in the physical plant which he retired from in 1984. Jim once again became employed couldn't stay retired at Heinrich's Door Co. where he worked for a few years. Jim's hobbies included hiking in Lory State Park, looking for arrowheads and other artifacts, gardening, photography, beer and wine making, crossword puzzles, reading, fishing and watching MASH reruns. Jim was a 32nd degree master mason through Illinois Central Lodge No. 178 and also a member of the American Legion. Jim is survived by his sister, Norma Biedenharn, of Fort Collins; sister-in-law, Iva-Jean Whitver, of Stockton, Calif.; daughter, Lara Mike Sealander, of Fort Collins and their daughters, Mikayla, Cassidy, McKenna and Celia; Kim Theiler and her son, Larry Theiler, both of Fort Collins. Sons Galen Moore and Kevin Moore both of Fort Collins. Nieces Nancy Duncan of Florida and Susan Marshall, of Arizona. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Ivan Whitver and sister, Doris Duncan. Our dad, brother and grandpa will be greatly missed for his love and his great sense of humor. We wish to thank Hospice of Larimer County, we couldn't have done it without all your help. Those who desire may view Mr. Whitver from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. A funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Pastor Mark Hanke will officiate. Military honors by Fort Collins All Veterans Honor Guard will be at Roselawn Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Larimer County in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524.