Harold Eugene "Gene" Whittle, age 87, of Iberia, passed away Wednesday, October 13, 2010, at Lake Regional Health System in Osage Beach. He was born in Iberia on November 29, 1922, son of the late Olia Rayford and Fannie Jane (Luttrell) Whittle. On January 17, 1948 in Brumley, Gene married Beryl Ann Wilson, who survives at the home.

Gene was a past member of Pleasant Hill Christian Church, where he served as Elder and Sunday School Teacher and was an active member of Iberia First Christian Church. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Cemetery Board, Rankin-Wright Cemetery Board, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6167, American Legion Post 105, and Iberia Masonic Lodge #410, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1974. He proudly served his country during World War II serving in the Navy from 1943 to 1946.

During his life, Gene was employed at Civilian Conservation Corps at the Lake of the Ozarks, Graysport Construction Company in Prosser, Washington, and he was involved with constructing a Nuclear Plant with Kaiser Engineers in Wapato, Washington. Gene formed the Whittle-Buechter Construction Company (1957-1966) which constructed many residential and some commercial buildings in the St. Anthony, Iberia, and Lake Ozark area. He retired in 1981 from Ft. Leonard Wood Facility Engineers as Planner/Estimator. Gene was a life long Beef Cattle Farmer in Iberia and a portion of his farm was homesteaded by his grandfather, Josephius Whittle.

Throughout the years he contributed his talents and skills in carpentry and electrical services for various churches and community buildings. Gene was a gentle and supporting husband, father, and grandfather. He was a faithful and loving Christian and was also a supporter and patriot of his community and country.

He is also survived by four children, Michael Gene Whittle and wife Beth of Iberia, Deborah Ann Ferguson and husband Ron of Lake Ozark, Kerry Dean Whittle and wife Lolly of Osage Beach, and Sandra Kay Wilson and husband Jim of Eldon; 15 grandchildren, Tamra Whittle, Shawn Whittle, Joseph Whittle, Susan Hensley, Craig Whittle, Justin Whittle, Joshua Ferguson, Amy Michels, Jason Whittle, Shannon Martin, Kristen West, Kelly Pemberton, Adam Wilson, Joel Wilson, and Regan Wilson; 21 great-grandchildren; one brother, Granville Whittle and wife Delores of Wapato, Washington; two sisters, Lois Brown of Marshalltown, Iowa and Nina Jacobs and husband Jerome of Jefferson City; two sisters-in-law, Janette Whittle and Shirley Whittle both of Brumley; and a host of relatives and friends.

He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Verner Whittle, Farris Whittle, Gail Whittle, and James Whittle; and one sister, Irene Thomas.

Services will be at 10 a.m., on Monday, October 18, 2010, at Iberia First Christian Church. Pastor Stan Way will officiate. Interment with military honors under the direction of the Iberia VFW Post 6167 and American Legion Post 105 will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Iberia.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., with a Masonic Service at 7 p.m., on Sunday, October 17, at the church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Pleasant Hill Cemetery or to Skilled Nursing at Lake Regional Health System.