John R. "Jack" Wilhite, 82, of Cape Girardeau, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 17, 1921, son of Dr. John R. Wilhite and Lillian Abington Wilhite Sr. in Liberal, Kan. He married Mary Elizabeth Brockmire on July 22, 1945, in Cape Girardeau.

He served in the U.S. Army from July 8, 1942, to Oct. 29, 1945. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838, American Legion Post 158, Disabled American Veterans, Forty and Eight, the National Science Teachers Association, the Missouri State Teachers Association and the National Education Association.

He received the Purple Heart, Distinguished Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, American Service Medal and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal.

He earned two undergraduate degrees from Southeast Missouri State University and a masters degree from the former Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Mo., now Truman State University. He taught at Illmo-Fornelt High School for five years and Ste. Genevieve High School for 28 years.

He is survived by his wife and a sister, Lillian Detherage of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, with Fred Gerlach officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau.