The Highland News Leader, Madison County, Highland, Illinois, Date: 28 October 1981-
STILL GOING STRONG Highland Rotary Club salutes its oldest member -
"Everyone owes something to his community and friendship to his fellow man." Those are the words of Highland Rotary's oldest member, O.M.C. Whitener, better known to all his friends as Oscar. At 95, Oscar Whitener is still as active as his age permits. He seldom misses a meeting and takes part whenever possible in the activities of the local club.
Whitener was born June 3, 1886 in Gravelton, Missouri. His parents were Solomon David and Mary Louisa Rowland Whitener. He later moved to Fredericktown, Missouri where on April 17, 1912 he married Pearl Madeline Owens. They had two children, Sister Clare Marie Wick now in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Mrs. Orville (Angela) Heim living here in Highland.
He graduated high school and later attended Marvin College in Fredericktown and then the Rolla School of Mines. While in college he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and is now one of the oldest members.
In early manhood he was in the cleaning and dyeing business, but for many years he was a metallurgist at the Missouri Cobalt Co. in Fredericktown. Oscar could expound many interesting stories and facts about his years as a metallurgist.
Whitener was instrumental in starting the Rotary Club in Fredericktown and is a charter member of that club, dating back to 1926. He served as president and secretary and also was active in all club projects. He also was the Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and served as district deputy.
After Oscar Whitener came to Highland, it was necessary for him to leave the Highland Rotary Club for a few years due to the illness of his wife. But he has completed over 50 years of service to Rotary, in 1977 he reached the height of his ambitions when he became a Paul Harris Fellow.
Just a few weeks ago, Whitener paid a surprise visit back to his charter club in Fredericktown, Missouri and met another of the charter members at the meeting. He also renewed acquaintance with a lot of other Rotarians whom he once knew while there. He was in cloud nine to say the least. He was accompanied to the club by three other members of the Highland Rotary Club.
Whitener in his earlier years enjoyed fishing and hunting and today his time is occupied in playing cards, mostly pinochle. At 95 he is very sharp and not easily bluffed.
Back in June, at the time of his birthday, President Ron Schneider presented Whitener to the members and they sang the Happy Birthday song. He acknowledged the song with thanks.
When asked to what does he contribute his long years of life, he said "Old age is something you have to learn to live with. You must think positive, have an abiding faith, give hope and charity to all, live in moderation...and keep on breathing."
"With these words of wisdom we can only say Oscar, may the good Lord keep you breathing for a very long time. We are glad you are one of us," say the Highland Rotarians.
*Note by grand-daughter-in-law Judy Wick:
"Oscar managed to keep breathing for almost 106 years."
STILL GOING STRONG Highland Rotary Club salutes its oldest member -
"Everyone owes something to his community and friendship to his fellow man." Those are the words of Highland Rotary's oldest member, O.M.C. Whitener, better known to all his friends as Oscar. At 95, Oscar Whitener is still as active as his age permits. He seldom misses a meeting and takes part whenever possible in the activities of the local club.
Whitener was born June 3, 1886 in Gravelton, Missouri. His parents were Solomon David and Mary Louisa Rowland Whitener. He later moved to Fredericktown, Missouri where on April 17, 1912 he married Pearl Madeline Owens. They had two children, Sister Clare Marie Wick now in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Mrs. Orville (Angela) Heim living here in Highland.
He graduated high school and later attended Marvin College in Fredericktown and then the Rolla School of Mines. While in college he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and is now one of the oldest members.
In early manhood he was in the cleaning and dyeing business, but for many years he was a metallurgist at the Missouri Cobalt Co. in Fredericktown. Oscar could expound many interesting stories and facts about his years as a metallurgist.
Whitener was instrumental in starting the Rotary Club in Fredericktown and is a charter member of that club, dating back to 1926. He served as president and secretary and also was active in all club projects. He also was the Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and served as district deputy.
After Oscar Whitener came to Highland, it was necessary for him to leave the Highland Rotary Club for a few years due to the illness of his wife. But he has completed over 50 years of service to Rotary, in 1977 he reached the height of his ambitions when he became a Paul Harris Fellow.
Just a few weeks ago, Whitener paid a surprise visit back to his charter club in Fredericktown, Missouri and met another of the charter members at the meeting. He also renewed acquaintance with a lot of other Rotarians whom he once knew while there. He was in cloud nine to say the least. He was accompanied to the club by three other members of the Highland Rotary Club.
Whitener in his earlier years enjoyed fishing and hunting and today his time is occupied in playing cards, mostly pinochle. At 95 he is very sharp and not easily bluffed.
Back in June, at the time of his birthday, President Ron Schneider presented Whitener to the members and they sang the Happy Birthday song. He acknowledged the song with thanks.
When asked to what does he contribute his long years of life, he said "Old age is something you have to learn to live with. You must think positive, have an abiding faith, give hope and charity to all, live in moderation...and keep on breathing."
"With these words of wisdom we can only say Oscar, may the good Lord keep you breathing for a very long time. We are glad you are one of us," say the Highland Rotarians.
*Note by grand-daughter-in-law Judy Wick:
"Oscar managed to keep breathing for almost 106 years."
The Highland News Leader, Madison County, Highland, Illinois, Date: 28 October 1981-
STILL GOING STRONG Highland Rotary Club salutes its oldest member -
"Everyone owes something to his community and friendship to his fellow man." Those are the words of Highland Rotary's oldest member, O.M.C. Whitener, better known to all his friends as Oscar. At 95, Oscar Whitener is still as active as his age permits. He seldom misses a meeting and takes part whenever possible in the activities of the local club.
Whitener was born June 3, 1886 in Gravelton, Missouri. His parents were Solomon David and Mary Louisa Rowland Whitener. He later moved to Fredericktown, Missouri where on April 17, 1912 he married Pearl Madeline Owens. They had two children, Sister Clare Marie Wick now in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Mrs. Orville (Angela) Heim living here in Highland.
He graduated high school and later attended Marvin College in Fredericktown and then the Rolla School of Mines. While in college he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and is now one of the oldest members.
In early manhood he was in the cleaning and dyeing business, but for many years he was a metallurgist at the Missouri Cobalt Co. in Fredericktown. Oscar could expound many interesting stories and facts about his years as a metallurgist.
Whitener was instrumental in starting the Rotary Club in Fredericktown and is a charter member of that club, dating back to 1926. He served as president and secretary and also was active in all club projects. He also was the Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and served as district deputy.
After Oscar Whitener came to Highland, it was necessary for him to leave the Highland Rotary Club for a few years due to the illness of his wife. But he has completed over 50 years of service to Rotary, in 1977 he reached the height of his ambitions when he became a Paul Harris Fellow.
Just a few weeks ago, Whitener paid a surprise visit back to his charter club in Fredericktown, Missouri and met another of the charter members at the meeting. He also renewed acquaintance with a lot of other Rotarians whom he once knew while there. He was in cloud nine to say the least. He was accompanied to the club by three other members of the Highland Rotary Club.
Whitener in his earlier years enjoyed fishing and hunting and today his time is occupied in playing cards, mostly pinochle. At 95 he is very sharp and not easily bluffed.
Back in June, at the time of his birthday, President Ron Schneider presented Whitener to the members and they sang the Happy Birthday song. He acknowledged the song with thanks.
When asked to what does he contribute his long years of life, he said "Old age is something you have to learn to live with. You must think positive, have an abiding faith, give hope and charity to all, live in moderation...and keep on breathing."
"With these words of wisdom we can only say Oscar, may the good Lord keep you breathing for a very long time. We are glad you are one of us," say the Highland Rotarians.
*Note by grand-daughter-in-law Judy Wick:
"Oscar managed to keep breathing for almost 106 years."
STILL GOING STRONG Highland Rotary Club salutes its oldest member -
"Everyone owes something to his community and friendship to his fellow man." Those are the words of Highland Rotary's oldest member, O.M.C. Whitener, better known to all his friends as Oscar. At 95, Oscar Whitener is still as active as his age permits. He seldom misses a meeting and takes part whenever possible in the activities of the local club.
Whitener was born June 3, 1886 in Gravelton, Missouri. His parents were Solomon David and Mary Louisa Rowland Whitener. He later moved to Fredericktown, Missouri where on April 17, 1912 he married Pearl Madeline Owens. They had two children, Sister Clare Marie Wick now in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Mrs. Orville (Angela) Heim living here in Highland.
He graduated high school and later attended Marvin College in Fredericktown and then the Rolla School of Mines. While in college he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and is now one of the oldest members.
In early manhood he was in the cleaning and dyeing business, but for many years he was a metallurgist at the Missouri Cobalt Co. in Fredericktown. Oscar could expound many interesting stories and facts about his years as a metallurgist.
Whitener was instrumental in starting the Rotary Club in Fredericktown and is a charter member of that club, dating back to 1926. He served as president and secretary and also was active in all club projects. He also was the Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and served as district deputy.
After Oscar Whitener came to Highland, it was necessary for him to leave the Highland Rotary Club for a few years due to the illness of his wife. But he has completed over 50 years of service to Rotary, in 1977 he reached the height of his ambitions when he became a Paul Harris Fellow.
Just a few weeks ago, Whitener paid a surprise visit back to his charter club in Fredericktown, Missouri and met another of the charter members at the meeting. He also renewed acquaintance with a lot of other Rotarians whom he once knew while there. He was in cloud nine to say the least. He was accompanied to the club by three other members of the Highland Rotary Club.
Whitener in his earlier years enjoyed fishing and hunting and today his time is occupied in playing cards, mostly pinochle. At 95 he is very sharp and not easily bluffed.
Back in June, at the time of his birthday, President Ron Schneider presented Whitener to the members and they sang the Happy Birthday song. He acknowledged the song with thanks.
When asked to what does he contribute his long years of life, he said "Old age is something you have to learn to live with. You must think positive, have an abiding faith, give hope and charity to all, live in moderation...and keep on breathing."
"With these words of wisdom we can only say Oscar, may the good Lord keep you breathing for a very long time. We are glad you are one of us," say the Highland Rotarians.
*Note by grand-daughter-in-law Judy Wick:
"Oscar managed to keep breathing for almost 106 years."
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