NEW BERLIN – Ned C. Whitten, 86, passed away on March 5, 2008 in Anaheim, Calif. Although he was a non-smoker, he lost a long and courageous battle with emphysema.
He was born in New Berlin, to Howard and Grace Whitten and graduated from New Berlin Central School. He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran, having served in the Pacific Theater of operations and was Honorably Discharged in 1945. He received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from RPI and a master’s degree in engineering from the University of California. Prior to his retirement, Ned held engineering positions with Allied Chemical, General Electric and The Hughes Aircraft Corp. He was dedicated to his family and took great joy from them. He enjoyed playing his trombone and played with the Elks Club Band in Anaheim, where he was a thirty year member. Eventually deteriorating health forced him to give up the trombone.
He was predeceased by his ex-wife Gladys; a daughter, Nadine Pepus; his parents and a brother, Dean.
He is survived by daughters, Donna Mitchell, Fullerton, Calif., Deedra Cavella (Eric), Springfield, Tenn.; son, Gary Whitten, Creswell, Ore.; son-in-law, Steven Pepus, Fullerton, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; a brother Gordon (Phyllis), Delhi, N.Y. and several cousins.
Per the wishes of the deceased, services will be private and interment will be at the West Hill Cemetery, Sherburne.
Arrangements are by the Dakin Funeral Home, LP of New Berlin.