John Whyte

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John Richard Whyte, USMC Major (Ret.), 47, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, was born October 15, 1963 in Peoria, Illinois, the son of Richard J. and Madeleine L. (Cooney) Whyte. He departed this life Monday, June 6, 2011 at his home in Pleasant Hill.

On October 10, 2008, John was united in marriage to Candy S. Bourff in Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

John was a 1981 St. Louis University High School Graduate and received a Bachelors Degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia and a Masters Degree from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Following college he joined the United States Marine Corps and proudly served our country until his retirement in 2010. He was a member of the First Marine Expeditionary Force and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service for actions in Fallujah in 2004.

He was an avid golfer and earned the Evans Scholarship in college. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the current Commander of VFW Post #3118 in Pleasant Hill.

John was true and faithful to his family and country. He was especially proud of time served in the Marine Corps.

He was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his wife Candy and daughter Olivia; his son Evan Whyte and daughter Maddie Whyte of Lee's Summit; his mother Madeleine of Kirkwood, Missouri; five brothers, Joe (Cheryl) Whyte, Jim (Lori) Whyte, and Tom Whyte all of St. Louis, Missouri, Dan (Sonya) Whyte of O'Fallon, and Tim Whyte of Kansas City, Missouri; three sisters Anne (Dan) Mueller, and Kate (Jonathan) Morgan both of St. Louis and Ellen (Jeff) Okenfuss of Ste. Genevieve; other relatives and a host of many friends.

Visitation was held Friday, June 10, 2011, at the funeral home, where VFW Post #3118 hosted a "Final Salute" to John at 8:00 p.m.

Funeral mass was held Saturday, June 11, 2011, at St. Bridget Catholic Church. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in St. Louis at a later date.

Military graveside services and interment followed at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery with full military honors by the VFW Post #3118 Honor Guard and the United States Marine Corps.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Olivia Whyte Education Fund which has been established at the Pleasant Hill Bank and may be sent in care of the funeral home.