Phillip A Whitner

Dr. Phillip “Phil” A. Whitner passed onto heaven peacefully Sunday, May 22, 2016. He was born on March 9, 1936 in Birmingham, Alabama. At a very young age Phil and his brother lost both of his parents, Samuel T. and Jewell (Harrison) Whitner causing both to be raised by their aunt and uncle with their two sons in Perrysburg, Ohio. Phil went on to become one of the first three-sport star athletes in Perrysburg High School history. This culminated in an athletic scholarship to Montana State University in football and baseball. While at MSU, his 1956 football team was crowned NAIA National Champions. This team was inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame and Small College Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, CO. in 2004. After his time in Montana he served our country in the US Army. When he returned to the area, he joined the Toledo Tornadoes, a professional football team. This culminated with stints in the AFL and CFL. When his football career ended, he joined his friend and fellow Tornado, Ed Burgin where he learned the heating/AC business. Later, he left Burgin Bros. and started his own commercial heating/AC company. Tragically in 1974 he was involved in a single car accident on E. River Rd. This event would change Phil’s life forever. He was in ICU at St. Luke’s for nearly a month. The family was told by their family physician, Dr. James Fraser, “That Phil was the only person he knew that could have survived that crash.” The accident left him legally blind and handicapped with a severe leg injury. At 38 years old, he decided to return to college and pursue a degree in Counseling at the University of Toledo. Four years later he enrolled at the University of Michigan where he earned his Master’s in Social Work (MSW) in 1979. Equipped with his athletic background and academic credentials, he was hired by UT to council scholarship athletes to help them make the transition from High School to College. He also started to do his course work for his PhD during this time. In 1987 he received his PhD and kept his academic record perfect, by never receiving anything less than an “A” in any of his classes while obtaining his 3 degrees. Concurrently, he accepted a position at UT in the Counseling Center as a Clinical Counselor where he worked until his retirement in 2010. Dr. Whitner taught Master Level Classes at Heidelberg College in Arrowhead Park for many years, in Counseling and Social Work. Phil had many passions. He loved music, XM Radio and owned an extensive CD collection of various artists. He loved sports and enjoyed following his favorite teams. He also owned an ocean front condo in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Where he loved to spend his winters after retirement and sharing the condo with his family. He also enjoyed to eat! Phil’s greatest passion was his family. He married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Judy Crane. Together they raised five children in Perrysburg. For years they shared their home with their children and grandchildren for dinner every Sunday and holidays. Phil was a very kind and generous man. He made friends very easily with his sense of humor, storytelling, and good jokes. He was loyal to the people in his life. He never complained once about what happened to him or his handicaps. He proved that by the way he lived after his accident. He just picked himself up, dusted himself off and set a great example on how to overcome challenges. Phillip is survived by his children, Robin R. (Lorena) Whitner, Cynthia L. (Kevin Bookenberger) Curtis, Douglas N. (Stephanie) Whitner and Donald P. (Dana) Whitner; daughter-in-law, Mary Kay (Tom Colter) Whitner; grandchildren, Phillip, Aaron, Marc, Michelle, Paul, Brian, Bailey, Olivia, Andrew, Peter, Jase, Judy, Philip and Tyler; great grandchildren, Amna, Allie, Michael, Danny and Jocelyn; sister-in-law, Pat (Mike) Hayden; nephews, Drew, Jeff and Wes. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judith C. Whitner; son, John D. Whitner; and brothers, Don, Billy and William. The family wishes to thank lifelong friends, June Sweede of Perrysburg, Kevin and Becky Lewis of Oregon, OH., Wayne and Paulette Penick of NSB, FL. for their love devotion and kindness to our father. Friends will be received at Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary St., Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 (419-874-3133) on Thursday, May 26, 2016 from 2:00 PM-8:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Friday, May 27, 2016 at Cedar Creek Church, 29129 Lime City Rd., Perrysburg from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM with funeral services to follow at 11:00 AM with Pastor Rick DuShane officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Meigs Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Phillip’s name may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Online condolences may be left at witzlershank.com