Kenneth Ray Whithaus

Kenneth Ray “Kenny” Whithaus, age 68, of Gasconade, Missouri, entered the gates of Paradise on Monday, March 30, 2026, near California, Missouri.

Kenny was born September 29, 1957, in St. Louis County, the son of John Frederick Whithaus and Doris Mae Hoelmer Whithaus.

Although born in a big city, as a boy Kenny grew up on the Hoelmer/Whithaus family farm near Gasconade. As Kenny was actually raised by his grandma, Edna Bock Hoelmer, from the tender age of seven, he learned the values of self-reliance, loyalty, and honesty.

While Kenny attended Hermann High School, he chose a different path before graduating by enlisting in the United States Navy in March 1975. He proudly served his country for two years as an engine mechanic aboard the USS Lockwood until he was given an honorable discharge in February 1977.

Returning home from the Navy, Kenny found employment easily as he was an extremely hard worker and possessed a broad spectrum of talents and skills across many different areas of expertise.

Kenny could operate every possible kind of equipment used by the Missouri State Highway Department, to being employed by the University of Missouri as a computer tech to, upon moving back to the family farm in 2003, working for Delma and Gary Seifert on one of the largest Hereford breeding farms in the state.

At the age of 25, Kenny married Cathy Pack of Jefferson City. It was in December 1982, that Kenny met the love of his life, his precious daughter Jennifer, and over time was blessed with three beautiful grandchildren.

Due to continuing heart problems, Kenny retired from working full time for the Seiferts and began working part time whenever the Spirit moved him, often working as a mason, creating beautiful stone chimneys and wishing wells for friends and strangers alike.

In his spare moments, Kenny had a passion for fishing and going on float trips, hunting deer, wild turkey, and morel mushrooms, playing poker, and tending his yearly herb garden.

At Kenny’s core, was the heart of Tom Sawyer. A boy who never found enough hours in his day for boating on the Gasconade and Missouri Rivers.

Kenny was a devoted son, grandson, and friend. He was generous to a fault and always had a smile on his face. Even as mounting health issues drained his energy and limited his activities, he was always up for a good joke or story and continued looking forward to the future, even after receiving two cancer diagnoses. Above all, Kenny never felt sorry for himself.

Kenny will be sorely missed as his passing leaves a huge void in the hearts of his friends and family. But as much as we will miss him, mourn him, and long to see his twinkling eyes and infectious grin, in the long run we will come to realize what is truly important . . .

That we were blessed to know and our lives were enriched for having known Kenny Ray Whithaus.

Kenny is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Whithaus, and her fiancée, Chris Smith; grandchildren Maya Whithaus and Sylas and Mason Schmidt, all of Spirit Lake, Iowa; partner and soul mate, Myra Eickmeyer of California, Missouri; and Raven, his devoted and constant companion.

In addition to his parents, Kenny was preceded in death by his grandmother, Edna Bock Hoelmer; sister Carol Whithaus Binkholder; brother Steven Whithaus; and beloved pets Buzz, Tara, and Cocoa.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Trimble Funeral Homes – Russellville. A celebration of Kenny’s life will take place beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at The Branch in Lohman, Missouri.

A graveside service with military honors will be held for Kenny at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Eugene, Missouri, at a later date.

The family of Kenny Whithaus would like to sincerely thank the staff of Compassus Hospice in Jefferson City, Missouri, for their compassion in providing comfort, dignity, and support during Kenny’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Callaway Hills Animal Shelter or to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Services are entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Russellville, Missouri. trimblefunerals.com