Philip A. Whitmer

December 28, 1942 - January 11, 2020

Philip A. Whitmer, resident of Elkhart, IN, graduate of Green Twp., North Liberty, IN, passed peacefully at home on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020. He was born Dec. 28, 1942 to Paul Whitmer and Katherine (Shock) Whitmer. Philip was married to Gayle R. Smith of South Bend, IN, on October 22, 1942 and she preceded him in death on June 19, 2018. Surviving are daughters, Laurie (William “Nick” Lindsey) Stewart of Elkhart and, Kristin (Pete) Breseman of Hawley, Texas, 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and brothers, David Whitmer of South Bend and Paul D. (Jackie) Whitmer of Granger. Mr. Whitmer owned and operated numerous local auto mechanic shops, but is most notably known as one of the leading faces of Hearts Desire Antique Mall, Elkhart. He stayed active and busy and could be found most often with his English Bull Dog, Bentley. Mr. Whitmer spent the last 2 years of his life dedicating his time to helping care for his wife, Gayle who passed in 2018 from ALS. This spoke volumes to the man he was. Visitation will be 1-3 p.m. Saturday, January 18, 2020, at Rieth-Rohrer-Ehret-Lienhart Funeral Home, 117 W. Waterford St., Wakarusa. A procession will leave the funeral home at 3 p.m. to go to Sumption Prairie Cemetery, South Bend, for a graveside service. Pastor Marc Stutzman will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, all donations can be made to the ALS Foundation. Online condolences may be sent at www.rrefh.com