Gary A. Whitesel

Gary A. Whitesel, 56, of Box 275, Tipton, Tyrone RD 5, died Saturday afternoon, Nov. 1, 2003, at Altoona Hospital.
He was born Feb. 27, 1947, in Altoona, a son of Andrew C. and Dorothy I. (McClellan) Whitesel. He married Cathy E. Briggs March 18, 1972, at Tipton United Methodist Church.
Mr. Whitesel is survived by his wife, a son, Nicholas A., at home, and his fiancée, Becky S. Crosley, and her children, Joshua and Ashley Young; his mother of Tipton; a sister, Cheryl L. Hinkle and her husband, Timothy C., and their son, Andrew, all of Tipton; his mother-in-law, Virginia Briggs; his extended family of brothers- and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Dec. 2, 1998.
Mr. Whitesel was employed as a splicing technician at Verizon Communications for the past 30 years. He was an Air Force veteran serving during the Vietnam era. He was a member of Tipton United Methodist Church and a member of the Communications Workers of America. Mr. Whitesel enjoyed woodworking, working on trucks, riding his motorcycle and also enjoyed the outdoors.
There will be no public viewing. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, at the Jon C. Russin Funeral Home, Bellwood, with the Rev. Robert Rupp officiating. Interment at Blair Memorial Park, Antis Township.
Expressions of sympathy in Gary’s memory may be made to the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania, Central Region, 209 E. Beaver Ave., State College, PA 16801; or to Tipton United Methodist Church, Tipton, PA 16684.

Altoona Mirror Nov. 5, 2003.