Virgil L. "Whitey" McDivitt

Mr. Virgil L. “Whitey” McDivitt, 97, of Fountain City, passed away on Monday, October 5.

He was born at home on August 12, 1929, the son of Emmett E. & Mary L. Parks McDivitt. Whitey was a graduate of Jackson High School in Campbellstown, Ohio.

Whitey farmed for many years. The horses he started farming with weren’t replaced by a tractor until he graduated high school. He drove a school bus for Northeastern High School in the late 1960s. In 1971, he became a truck driver and drove 24 years until retiring in 1995. He remained an avid gardener and loved growing flowers. Whitey was an avid basketball fan. He and Janice were fixtures in area gyms as they followed many local talented athletes, including his great-niece, April McDivitt, who was selected as 1999 Indiana Miss Basketball. They at one time were arguably the biggest fans of the NHS girls basketball program and were recognized for their loyalty and commitment at one of the last games they were able to attend together.

Whitey was also an avid believer in and follower of his Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of Spartanburg Christian Church.

Whitey will be missed by his children, Diane (John) Crandall, Neil Duane (Patti) McDivitt and Melanie (Randy) Calvelage; 7 grandchildren, Justin, Ryan, John, Caleb, Michelle, Matthew, Jennifer, Lucas and Rachel, 14 great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren; sister, Ruby Hackenbracht; brother, Paul McDivitt; nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Whitey was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 75 years, Janice C. McDivitt; siblings, Ellsworth W. McDivitt, Kenneth E. McDivitt, Cecil Edward McDivitt, Esther Louise Dearth, Hazel Bernice Dafler, Lester S. McDivitt, Robert Joseph “Gene” McDivitt, Marylou Cavins, Mabel L. Sandlin, Ruth Ann Cox Colvin Loy, Everett Joseph McDivitt, Barbara June Shelley and Keith Frank McDivitt.

Visitation for Whitey will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, October 9, at the Smith-McQuiston & Webster Funeral Home, 321 South US Hwy 27, Fountain City.

Whitey’s life will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Willow Grove Cemetery in Fountain City.

Memorial contributions are encouraged for the Northeastern High School Athletic Department, 7295 US Hwy 27 North, Fountain City, IN 47341.