Carlos Whittle

Carlos Jerome “Jerry” Whittle, age 90, was born October 3, 1926 in Jordan, Montana, the son of Carl and Alice Whittle. Just five weeks after losing his beloved wife of 68 years, he died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Friday, March 24, 2017 from a broken heart. He was loved and will be greatly missed by many, especially his large family. Jerry met his future wife, Mary Ellen McKeever, at the age of eight in Forsyth, Montana. He grew up as a country kid in Sand Springs, attending a one-room schoolhouse. He was driving the farm truck by the age of nine. He was a champion in hog judging at age twelve and went to the finals in Great Falls. His family moved to Billings when Jerry was 14. They operated Community Grocery and lived in the back of the store. After his sophomore year he went back to Sand Springs and worked all summer on the Larson Ranch. He earned $50 that summer and used it to buy his 1929 Chevy. He graduated from Billings High School in 1944 and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy. He served aboard the USS Kadashan Bay Carrier Vessel Escort in the Asiatic Pacific theatre. While ashore in Honolulu, he acquired his Betty Boop tattoo. His ship transported troops home after Victory in Japan Day, docking in Boston in 1946. To celebrate, Jerry got his cowgirl tattoo, and then rode the train home to Montana (at a cost of twelve dollars!). He was honorably discharged as a Machinist Mate Third Class Petty Officer earning many service medals. After the Navy, Jerry went to St. Louis, Missouri and attended Atlas Diesel School. His fiancé, Mary Ellen rode the train to St. Louis to visit him. They were married November 21, 1948 in Forsyth and immediately began their family, which grew to ten children. He fixed anything and everything around the house and for friends, neighbors and relatives. He kept multiple vehicles running for teenage drivers; built bunks in a vacation trailer to accommodate all of the kids on fishing and camping trips; played guitar and sang country-western songs while the kids danced; and rode his Harley Davidson motorcycles. He and Mary Ellen met the challenge of feeding, clothing, educating and entertaining a family of twelve, along with the always-welcome neighborhood kids. Dad worked all his life as a diesel mechanic, but also had many jobs as a teenager. He worked setting pins at the bowling alley, as a bottle checker at Billings Brewery and as a typewriter repairman. He retired from Cummins Diesel in 1988 at the age of 62. He was well-known statewide as one of the best Cummins mechanics, requested exclusively by many truckers. All of his sons and one of his daughters followed in his footsteps as mechanics. Upon retirement, he and Mary Ellen attended YMCA fitness classes every weekday, where they made many friends. He also took up skiing, and enjoyed family ski trips to Big Sky, Bridger Bowl and Maverick Mountain. Jerry was a proud member of the American Legion Post 4, where he and Mary Ellen danced many a Friday night. They were delighted to reconnect with Jerry's Navy shipmates at ten memorable ship's reunions across the country. He was a lifelong member of the Catholic church and also supported Disabled American Veterans. Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ellen, along with his younger sister, Mary Joan Haun, of California. His youngest son, Joe Whittle, died in 1984 in Billings at the age of 20. His nine surviving children and spouses are Kathy and Larry Dreyer of Helena, John and Brenda Whittle of Billings, Patty and Ron Nordlund of Billings, Tom and Carol Whittle of Shepherd, Jim Whittle of Bozeman, Marjorie and JC Knaub of Big Sky, Carrie and Kevin Winegardner of Helena, Barbara Whittle of Billings, and Laura and Eric Humberger of Bozeman. Grandpa treasured more than twenty grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by granddaughter Alyssa. “Uncle Jerry” was loved by dozens of nieces and nephews. The family appreciates the loving care received from the angels at Pearl Garden in West Park Village, the staff at Compassus Hospice Care, and the spiritual support and friendship of Father Charlie Gorman. Vigil service is scheduled for Thursday, March 30th at 5:15 pm at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass is Friday, March 31st at St. Thomas the Apostle Church at 10 am. Burial with military honors to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Should you wish, memorials may be made to American Legion Post 4, 1540 Broadwater Avenue, Billings Montana 59102 or charity of one's choice. Memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com