Erlin R. (Ozzie) Whitis

Erlin R. (Ozzie) Whitis, 91, of Cambridge, passed away Sunday (September 10, 2006) at the Cambridge Health & Rehabilitation Center. He was born July 26, 1915 in Cambridge, son of the late William Ralph Whitis and Laura (Braden) Whitis Duff. Prior to World War II, Mr. Whitis was employed by Davis Furniture and Charles Sipe Chevrolet. Upon his return from active duty, he worked at Continental Can, Seneca Plastics and later retired from the former Cambridge State Hospital in 1980. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Moose Lodge # 631 and a life-long member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 2901. He was Methodist by faith. He was a decorated World War II veteran and served in Company B 117th Infantry. He fought in the campaigns of Northern France, the Battle of the Bulge and the Rhineland. He received the American Theater Ribbon, European-African Middle Eastern Ribbon with three Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and Victory Medal World War II. He was married for sixty years to the late Lucille Ann "Bobbie" Harding Whitis. They were married on June 16, 1936 in Wheeling, WV. She passed away in 1996. He was a very loving & devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was an avid bowler and gardener. He loved hunting. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph R. Whitis, Harry Whitis and James R. Whitis; and a nephew, James R. Whitis. He leaves a son, Gary R. (Maria) Whitis of Byesville; three grandchildren, Gary M. (Linda) Whitis of Dublin, Jon R. Whitis of Hillard and Nicole (Darnell) Parrish of Worthington; seven great-grandchildren, Brooke M., Corbin M. & Aubrielle M. all of Dublin, Brennan M., Blake J., & Brett A. all of Hillard, and Nikolas R. Parrish of Worthington; a nephew and several nieces. He also leaves good friends and neighbors, Don & Linda Walter. Family and friends may call on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Thorn-Black Funeral Home, Cambridge, where services will be held on Thursday (September 14, 2006) at 11 a.m. with Rev. Sturman Moore officiating. Burial will be at Guernsey Memory Gardens, with military graveside services conducted by the Guernsey County Veterans Council. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinsons Association