Donald Whittredge

Donald Whittredge, 71, of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away at Circle of Life Hospice House in Bentonville, Arkansas on December 15, 2023, following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis in December 2021.

Don was born on July 17, 1952, to Ben and Leona Whittredge of Admire, Kansas. He grew up on a farm near Admire.  After graduating from Northern Heights High School in northern Lyon County, Kansas, he went on to study biology at Emporia State University.  Following graduation, he worked for Kansas Fish and Game in fisheries management for a short time before changing careers and becoming a sales representative for Nabisco in Hutchinson, KS for 39 years.

In 1973, he met Bethany Rowland while attending Kansas State Teachers College (Emporia State University), and they wed in 1975 at Sacred Heart Church in Emporia, going on to have two children, Benjamin and Erin.  Don was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Hutchinson.

After retiring in 2016, he continued to enjoy hunting, fishing, boating, birdwatching, visiting national parks, and spending time with family. He was known for sharing his passion for nature and outdoor activities.  In 2021, Don and Beth relocated to Rogers, Arkansas on Beaver Lake after living in Hutchinson, Kansas for 43 years.  Don was an active member of the Heartbeat of the Ozarks Classic Car Club of Northwest Arkansas, and he loved driving his 1967 Impala convertible.

Don was predeceased by his parents, Ben and Leona Whittredge, and nephew, Matthew Whittredge.  He is survived by his wife, Beth, son Ben (Amy) of Oxford, MI, grandchildren Alexis, Liliana, William and Cecelia, daughter Erin (Jay) of Roswell, GA, grandchildren Jack, Cameron, and Cora, brother John (Nina) of Emporia, KS and brother Jim (Dorothy) of Allen, KS, and 8 nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Circle of Life Hospice of Northwest Arkansas or North Lyon County (Kansas) Youth Association.  Donations will be collected by Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, 605 State St., Emporia, KS  66801.

Cremation has taken place.  Mass of Christian burial will take place at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Emporia with burial following at the Admire Cemetery in Admire.  The rosary will be recited at 12:00 p.m. Following the rosary, the family will receive guests until service time.  The family is requesting that guests wear western attire or dressy casual.