Obituaries

Steve Whitehead of Perry, Iowa

Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, June 1, 2017 with the family receiving friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Murdock Funeral Home. Funeral services for Steve Whitehead, 77, of Perry, will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 2, 2017 at Christ Lutheran Church at Highway 141 and 169, Bouton, IA. Rev. Max Phillips will officiate with David Menz as soloist and Linda Tingwald as organist. Special music selected is Amazing Grace, In the Garden and How Great Thou Art. Pallbearers are Mike Stakey, Mike Irby, Jason Burmeister, Alex Lott, Brett Stakey, Sam Burmeister, Chad Morman and Jeremy Atwell. Honarary Pallbearers are Jim Leonard, Rodney York, Tyler Jacobson and Nick Jacobson. Cremation will occur after the funeral and burial will be at a later date in Violet Hill Cemetery. A memorial has been established in Steve’s name. Steve passed away Monday, May 29, 2017 at the Perry Lutheran Home.

Stephen Robert Whitehead was born March 7, 1940 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was the adopted son of Glenn Edward and Shirley (Hildahl) Whitehead. After graduating from Wentworth Military Academy Steve attended college for a semester and entered the United States Navy on February 2, 1959 until his Honorable Discharge on January 10, 1961. Steve was married to Myrna Gene Owen on August 19, 1962 in Dexter, Iowa. They lived in Brookings, SD while Steve attended Publishing School before returning to Perry in 1964 to live and raise their family of four daughters.

Steve was a second-generation publisher of The Perry Chief from 1964 until his retirement, where he continued the tradition started by his parents, of the ¾ Century Club. Known for its tradition, it was a yearly banquet honoring area residents of 75 years of age and older for their contributions to the community. Throughout Steve’s years in business, he was active in the Perry Chamber of Commerce and served as president for several years, a member of the Perry Elks Lodge #407, Perry American Legion Post, Perry Golf and Country Club and bowled many years in the Perry bowling league.

Steve enjoyed his family and friends and fondly remembered the years he spent at the Perry Softball complex volunteering and watching his daughters compete. An avid Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Bears fan, he proudly supported his teams. He enjoyed many hours of watching both football and golf. One of Steve’s favorite places was a cabin his father acquired in Sioux Lookout, Canada. Steve and Myrna made multiple yearly trips, enjoying family and friends visiting and later would spend summers at the cabin relaxing and fishing on the lake.

Survivors include his wife Myrna Whitehead of Perry, IA; daughters Lori Lott of Perry, IA, Julie (Mike) Irby of Boone, IA, Marcie (Mike) Stakey of Massena, IA, Stacey (Jason) Burmeister of Council Bluffs, IA; nine grandchildren Alexander (Mayra Ponce) Lott, Danielle (Jeremy) Atwell, Bailey (Chad Morman) Lott, Nick Jacobson, Tyler Jacobson, KaLynn Jacobson, Brett Stakey, Samuel Burmeister, Sydney Burmeister and ten great grandchildren. Preceding Steve in death were his parents and one granddaughter Faith Stakey.