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Name:	John William Whiteleather Jr (Nickname = Whitey)
Spouse:	Judy Ann Smock Whiteleather
Address
	DECEASED 2024,
Phone Number
Email Address
Personal Website
Class of	1958	Attended from K through 12
Graduated Here?	Yes
If graduated elsewhere, graduated from:
College Attended:	Indiana University

Birthdate:	July 7, 1940
Date of Death:	March 12, 2024

Current Occupation:

Notes:	John William Whiteleather, Jr., 83, passed away on the morning of March 12, 2024, with his loving family beside him. He was born on July 7, 1940, to John W. Whitleather, Sr. and Lucille (Curtis) Whiteleather in Columbia City, Indiana, where he spent his formative years. He was a graduate of Columbia City High School and went on to receive his Bachelors and Law degrees from Indiana University. While at Indiana University he met and married the love of his life, Judith Ann Smock. They returned to Columbia City where he joined his father at the law firm his grandfather started. John was elected Whitley County Prosecuting attorney in 1970. He served as prosecutor 32 years and became a mentor to many novice prosecutors throughout the state of Indiana. The Indiana Bar Association awarded him Life Fellow in 1987, which recognized him for his outstanding legal ability. John was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers, which accepts less than one percent of trial lawyers in North America, in 1989. In 1990 Mr. Whiteleather was instrumental in the formation of the Whitley County Community Foundation, and the following year served as its first president. Also, at this time he became a certified mediator and proceeded to mediate thousands of cases throughout his career. In 1997 he was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Frank O’Bannon. John received the Indiana Bar Foundation Legendary Lawyer award in 2019, which is presented to an attorney practicing 50 years or more who has demonstrated their adherence to the highest principals of the legal profession and compassion through service to their community. He served his community by serving as counsel to many organizations and school systems. The Shine Feller award was presented to John in 2002 from the Indiana Prosecuting Attorney Council, the highest honor bestowed by that organization. Although John was proud of his many professional achievements, those that knew him best would agree that the times he was happiest were those spent making memories with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For many years John took his sons-in-law and grandsons fishing in Canada, and took his wife, daughters, granddaughters and grand-daughter-in-law to enjoy the Labor Day Weekend in Boston. John and Judy shared many wonderful years together at their home in Naples, Florida, where they enjoyed golfing and spending time with dear friends and family. John took special pride in designing and planting the flowers not only at the Naples residence, but also at many other places close to home that were special to him. He is survived by his beloved wife Judy; daughters Julie (Tim) Lowe and Kris (Jeff) Peters; grandchildren Anna (Grant) McCandless, John (Emily) Lowe, John William (Elizabeth) Peters and Lilly Peters; great-grandchildren DeForest McCandless, Leo Peters, CeCe McCandless, Everett Peters; and sisters, Judy Browning and Jill (James) Littlejohn. Visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm Monday, March 18, 2024, at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 207 North Main Street, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Tuesday March 19, 2024 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Greenhill Cemetery, Columbia City. . Memorial donations may be given in memory of John to the Whitley County Community Foundation. A memorial service will be held by the Whitley County Bar Association on April 26, 2024.

Last Updated:	04-17-2024		Alumni ID:	13313

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