George O. (Scottish nickname “Dode”) Whyte, Sr., age 96 of Kenosha, was granted eternal rest and was reunited with his wife on Saturday, February 24, 2018.

Born on August 7, 1921, he was the son of the late Robert B. and Marguerite (nee: Johnson) Whyte. He attended Grant Grade School, Washington Junior High School and graduated from Kenosha High School.

He played football for Kenosha High School, enjoyed playing baseball for years, and was an avid golfer. Dode took up flying, obtaining a commercial pilot’s license in 1942. He continued his education and attended the University of Iowa and the University of Wisconsin Extension.

In October, 1942, he enlisted in the Naval Air Corps, serving in WW II as a Naval Aviator in the Naval Air Transport Service. George flew in the North Atlantic, the Pacific and he also made several flights to Japan, until July, 1946. He flew with the Naval Reserve until 1950.

On July 12, 1947 at St. John’s English Church in Joliet, IL, he was united in marriage to the lovely Vivian E. “Viv” (nee: Scholl) Whalen. His beautiful and fun-loving wife sadly preceded him in death on October 15, 2001.

George was employed with MacWhyte Wire Rope Company. He retired on September 1, 1986 after 46 years of service, most of those as the Personnel Manager.

George was an Alderman. He served on the boards of the Kenosha Taxpayers, Inc. and was their President from 1956 until 1958 and was President of the Kenosha Visiting Nurses Association. He also served on the boards of the Goodfellows and the Kenosha Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuses from its inception until 1986.

For at least 36 years, George was a dedicated volunteer with the United Way fund, the Boy Scouts for several years and Planned Parenthood. George actively worked on many women’s issues including good prenatal care and adoption. Always being supportive, Dode enjoyed helping his wife, Viv with her work as a Chairperson of the Kenosha Public Museum Art Fair. Dode and his wife, Viv retired to Florida in 1987, spending their summers in Kenosha. George and Viv raised five wonderful children and are survived by, William, John (Dorothy), George (Judy Mobile) Jr., Debra (“Mike”) Montes, and Dennis Whyte. They were blessed with 11 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

He is further survived by and his former son and daughter-in-law, Dan (Jane) Deshotel.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Robert, Jr., Mary, Jean and Donald; his three daughters-in-law, Linda, Chris and Jane Whyte.

Service Info

Funeral Services honoring Dode’s life will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 12:00 Noon at the Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home, 3720 39th Avenue. Full Military Honors will follow the service.