Oscar Juan Whiting

Oscar Juan Whiting, son of Oscar and Mary Sullivan Whiting, died at home of leukemia Dec. 11, 2008. He was 86 years old, born on March 13, 1922, in Mapleton, Utah, where he has been a life-long resident. Juan enjoyed growing up on the farm with 4 sisters and 2 brothers, where he learned the value of hard work. He attended elementary school in Mapleton, and later served as captain of the Springville High basketball team. After graduation, the U of U recruited Juan to play basketball. Following his freshman year, Juan enlisted in the Navy air-corp where he served his country in World War II as a torpedo bomber pilot stationed on the air-craft carrier Intrepid.



At age 25, Elder Whiting sailed to the land of his childhood dreams, South Africa, where he served in the Cape Town mission of the LDS church for 2 1/2 years. Juan returned home to Alma Snow, who had waited for her sweetheart. On September 6, 1949, Apostle John A. Widstoe performed their marriage in the Salt Lake Temple. Juan was a family man and happily raised 7 beautiful children. His oldest son David was stricken with cancer and became a paraplegic at age 16. Juan lovingly helped meet his needs for 2 years until his death. The fatherly compassion he displayed was a great blessing for his family.



Juan received a teaching degree from BYU and became the "favorite teacher" of hundreds of elementary school students in Springville. His motto was "If you show the students that you love them, they will listen and learn." He always had time for children.



Juan was active in the community, serving on the city planning commission for 4 years, 14 years as a little league baseball coach, and 1 year as a PTA president. In 2005 he and his wife were thrilled to serve as Grand Marshals of the 24th of July Celebration in Mapleton. He lived the gospel of Jesus Christ with a heart full of tender feelings for the Lord. He willingly served in the church in many teaching capacities: Boy Scout and Varsity Scout leader, stake Seventies Quorum president, counselor in two bishoprics, member of the High Council, stake missionary, and an ordinance worker in the Provo Temple.



The culmination of his church service occurred when he his wife Alma returned to Africa to fulfill two memorable missions, first to Zimbabwe, and then to Cape Town, South Africa. Juan lived to fulfill Cecil Rhodes prophecy, "Once you taste the waters of Africa, you live to return again."



Juan is survived by his wife of 59 years, Alma; two sisters: Joyce (Heber) Olson, Tempe, Arizona, and Marilyn (Don) Alston, Las Vegas, Nevada; two sisters-in-law: Lora (Ray) Whiting, Mapleton, and Beryl (Gary) Whiting, Whittier, California; and a brother-in-law, Don (Thora) Allan, Mapleton. Six of his seven children survive and bless his name: Shelie (Dee) Doman, Woodburn, Oregon, Mark Snow (Judy) Whiting, Mapleton, Mary (Robert) Judd, St. George, Kaye (Benjamin) Romney, Rexburg, Idaho, Paul Snow (Sherri) Whiting, Mapleton, Brent Anthony (Laurie) Whiting, Mapleton. He leaves a great legacy of 60 living grandchildren, 5 who are currently serving missions, and 33 great-grandchildren.



Juan was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Mary; his son, David Juan; 3 grandchildren: Christopher Mark, Julia, and Lynzy Whiting; his sisters: Thora Allan and Virginia Whiting; and his brothers: Ray and Gary Whiting.



Funeral Services will be held Friday, Dec. 19, at 11 a.m. at the Mapleton White Church, 31W. Maple St. Friends may call at Wheeler Mortuary 211 E. 200 S. in Springville from 6 to 8 pm on Thursday evening and at the church an hour before the funeral. Interment will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Missionary Fund.