Mario J. (Mutt) Whitehead
May 15, 1925 ~ January 18, 2014
Mario Joseph "Mutt" Whitehead, 88, of Weirton, WV passed away on January 18, 2014, at the Weirton Geriatric Center. His loving family was at his side.
Born on May 15, 1925, in Follansbee, WV, Mario was a son of the late James and Mary Jesmundo Whitehead. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, James "Jeff" and John Whitehead; and his sisters, Cecelia Front Serra and Nina Verrico.
Mario was a World War II U.S. Army veteran, who participated in invasions of the Philippines and Okinawa. Following World War II, Mario married his fiance, Janet Pauline Wiley and the two resided in Weirton, WV.
Mario was a retired sales agent and sales manager for Prudential Insurance Company.
He was a member of Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, where he was a longtime usher for Sunday Mass. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus 3734.
Mario is survived by his wife of 67 years, Janet Pauline Wiley Whitehead; a son, Randall and his companion Mary Kupchak of Wheeling, WV; two daughters, and their families, Jolene and Dennis Moore of Proctor, WV, Joyce and Dickie McKitrick of Paris, PA; granddaughter, Laura Marie Whitehead of Wintersville, OH; and his step granddaughters, Missy McKitrick and Trisha Frantz of Burgettstown, PA.
Visitation will be 4-8 PM Monday at the Greco Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 AM Tuesday at Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Weirton.
Rev. Fr. Manuel Gelido will preside.
Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 6 PM.
Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Follansbee, with military graveside services conducted by the American Legion Honor Guard.
Mr. Whitehead's family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the administration, nurses and staff of the Weirton Geriatric Center for all of their love and care they provided to Mario.
Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's choice.
May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time
May you come to know that the love of God is with you always,
May your memories of Mario J. Mutt, give you peace, comfort and strength…
Rest now in the arms of our Lord your work on earth is done. I thank you for your service and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten.
Mario J. Mutt, is “A True American Hero†God Blessâ€
†Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 â€
Feel no guilt in laughter, he’d know how much you care. Feel no sorrow in a smile that he is not here to share.
You cannot grieve forever; he would not want you to. He’d hope that you could carry on the way you always do.
So, talk about the good times and the way you showed you cared,
The days you spent together, all the happiness you shared.
Let memories surround you, a word someone may say
Will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day,
That brings him back as clearly as though he were still here,
And fills you with the feeling that he is always near.
For if you keep those moments, you will never be apart
And he will live forever locked safely within your heart.
Love and Prayers to all of the family.
Randy, Jolene and Joyce, I like to express my deepest sympathy on the loss of your father, Mutt. I have many many memories of visiting your home and of Mutt helping me with any problems I had and teaching me many things.
God Bless you,
Nick Kundrat
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my own familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
So sorry for you loss..may your memories carry you through this difficult time.
Randy,
Please acceopt my sympathies on the loss of your Father. We went to high school and hung around with Nick Kundrat together.
Sincerely,
Moose
Joyce, Jolene, Randy and family,
Our deepest sympathies to you and your families on the passing of your Father. We were all blessed and better for knowing this wonderful man. Thinking of all of you and your mother at this time and always.
Donna and Carl Zahn and family
On behalf of cousins Vince and Gabriella Capobianco and their family from Canada, I would like to extend our deepest sympathy.
Vince sure has some wonderful stories that he has and will continue to share about his American cousins,( Mario, Janet, Jeff, Anne, and Nina and their families,) with his kids and grandkids over the years. I have to tell you that we NEVER get tired of hearing them, and they will be passed on through the future generations.
Mario was certainly an extraordinary man who led an extraoridinary life!
I wish I had had the pleasure of getting together with our American family more often. On our most recent visit 5 years ago now, we had the pleasure to hear some of Marios stories of his lifetime. Good and tough. From marrying the love of his life, to his days in the War (of which were obviously hard for him to talk about). What an intriguing man. I was lost in his stories, while looking through the old photo albums–it was like watching a movie.
It wasn’t just the stories that made us feel so great. It was the overall hospitality that we were met with.
We didn’t give the Whitehead family very much notice to say we were coming down from Canada- yet you all managed to get everyone together that was available, including Anne, kids, grandkids and more. We couldn’t have felt more welcome!
. This extended family- were, and are, so kind, genuine and loving, We left with such a warm feeling it was incredible.
All the time that had passed- we were definitely not strangers, but family. I will always keep that overwhelming warm feeling when I think of you all.
Just a spec of an example that I am sure there are thousands!
I believe this to be a big part of Mario’s legacy. HIs family.
Mario and Janet did such a great job, and the world is a better place for having them here.
We are truly honored to have been a part of his life!
Big hugs to all the family!! Janet, Randy, Joyce and Jolene and Anne! Wish we could be there.
xxo
Rest in peace Mario
The Whitehead family was like my second family growing up. Their house was the place to be! And Mr. Whitehead was one of a kind. I remember being a kid and feeling so intimidated by that boisterous voice and personality, but as I got to know him, I developed great respect for him. I feel honored and blessed to have known him, and I wish I could have told him “Thanks for putting up with me all those years.” I’ll cherish those memories. God Bless Mrs. Whitehead, Randy, Joyce and Jolene and their families.
Dear Joyce, and fa mily
Please know we are praying for you at this most difficult time.
So sorry I could not be with you I am in the hospital
Just know how much you are loved and how much you were loved by your Dad..
Love to your dear Mom.
Thinking love, Darlene
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Whitehead’s passing I have so many good memories of hanging out at your house when we were in high school Jolene and chatting up a storm with your parents. So strange….for some reason I was thinking of those times just the day before I found out that he passed away…. My prayers are with you,your mom, Randy,Joyce and the rest of your family XXOO
Dear Randy. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Bob & Marlene Ingram
Wheeling WV
Thinking of you and all the family , my sincere sympathy to all.
Elizabeth ( Betts ) Meikle
Joyce, Janet and family,
I was so sorry to hear of Mario’s passing. I know how much he meant to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.
Jolene and family,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved father. Tom and I are in Florida so we cannot make it to the service but know that we send our deepest sympathies and love to you.
Tom and Kathi Moore
Jolene and Whitehead family,
We were so very sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved father/husband. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with him and enjoyed his jokes and how at ease he made everyone feel! May all of your wonderful memories help to get you through the days ahead.
Love,
Sam & Chris Greco