Donald Ray Wilhite

It is with great sadness that the family of Donald Ray Wilhite announces his passing from Covid-19, on Saturday, November 21, 2020, at the age of 89 years. Don was born on April 18, 1931 to Clarence Aaron Wilhite and Ida Mae (Grubb) Wilhite. He grew up in Oakland City, Indiana and graduated from Oakland City High School. He attended Oakland City College and was accepted into the Indiana State Teachers College (now Indiana State University) to study music, where he graduated with Blue Key Honors for outstanding college men in 1952. Don excelled in music, composition, teaching music, and was named Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. He was a proud member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and also participated in the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Don served as a Sergeant in the United States Army and was Director of the Army's Red Diamond Chorus which traveled through Germany after the war. When he returned to the states, Don performed with the Glenn Miller orchestra and formed his own Don Wilhite Trio where he was the pianist and vocalist. He performed locally throughout Indianapolis at the Radisson, Hyatt, and Valle Vista Resort while teaching music in both Avon and New Palestine School Districts. He always considered music and family as his greatest passions and accomplishments. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Mary Lou (Shreve) Wilhite, who passed away last November. They married on January 1, 1961 and celebrated 58 years together. He will be lovingly remembered by his surviving children and their families: Connie Crothers Schmidt (Gary), Lyle Crothers (Linda), April Wilhite Hinds (Stephen), Miriam Wilhite Rolles (Mike), Heather Banks (John Wroblewski), and Marni Wilhite Chiddister (Todd). Don was blessed to have thirteen grandchildren: Bryan and Josh Schmidt, Nicole and Michael Crothers, Brittany and Jessica Sutton (Sweet), Mariah and Blake Shoaff, Chad Rolles, DeMarco and Celeste Bowen, Kate and Daniel Chiddister, and three great-grandchildren, Reagan Schmidt, Jordyn Sutton-Trotter, and Leon Bowen. A Visitation will be held Monday, November 30, 2020 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Stillinger Family Funeral Home, 1780 W. Main Street, Greenfield, Indiana. A Graveside Service will follow at 2:00 pm at Floral Park Cemetery, 425 N. Holt Road, Indianapolis, Indiana. Memorial contributions can be made on behalf of the Blake Shoaff Autistic Independence Fund, made payable to Blake A. Shoaff, 113 Lake View Drive, Greenfield, IN 46140.