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By Jeff Kenney Citizen editor
The Culver community as a whole is mourning the unexpected death of a lifelong
fixture in Culver whose impact on the lives of many has come to the fore in
the wake of his Oct. 7 death.
Jeff Willhite, a 1990 graduate of Culver
Community High School,
was rushed to the hospital Oct. 5, the victim of a bacterial infection that eventually
took his life.
Through his work as a campus security officer at Culver
Academies, as an active member of Culver’s volunteers EMS, in assisting his
brother Lee in the day-to-day operation of Gladie’s
Deli on Main St., and simply as an outgoing and highly visible member of
Culver’s community, Willhite was known by many in the area.
Shortly after his entry into the hospital, EMS
director Millie Sytsma and her husband, Culcom LLC owner Rich Sytsma,
set up a website intended to keep the community aware of Willhite’s
status, and to act as a channel for well wishes to be sent to his family. In
the days since Willhite’s passing, hundreds of
messages memorializing Willhite and offering condolences to his family filled
the site, not only from local regions but also those whose lives Willhite
touched all over the country.
Culver Academies head of schools John Buxton ordered flags flown at half
staff at the school two days last week, and they were again flown half-staff
Oct. 14 and 15, the respective days of Willhite’s
viewing and funeral at the Academies’ Memorial Chapel.
The community’s response to Jeff Willhite’s death
has touched his family, including parents Henry and Gladys and surviving
brothers Mike and Lee.
“Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought the responses we would get
(to Jeff’s passing) would be in that magnitude,” says Lee. “What’s amazing is, they’re all consistent (in their praise of him). I don’t
think he realized how rich he was. In society, we look at things
materialistically. I wish he would have known that.”
“Jeff was an amazing individual,” continues Lee. “When it came to efforts
with community service, he respected it; he had a dignity towards it. He
would do anything to be able to help. He really felt it was his calling. He
really respected what he did as far as EMS…talking to
people, I think they, in return, respected that. That’s a gift.”
As of this writing, Lee Willhite (who is also food services director at
Culver Academies) says Mark Waller of the Academies’ horsemanship department
plans a Lancers’ salute to honor Jeff at his funeral. Fire trucks and
emergency vehicles are expected to line up and form a procession as well,
with Culver’s firemen lined up to salute him.
“We’re overwhelmed (by the outpouring of community support),” Lee Willhite
adds. “We’ve been blessed. I wouldn’t have thought to say this, but he was a
community icon.”
Remembering Jeff Willhite
Editor’s note: Far too many tributes to Jeff Willhite have appeared to print
them all, but below is a small sampling from several who worked with or were
touched by him.
“Jeff was a member of a family who have served and supported the Culver
Academies and the Town of Culver
for generations. Jeff was a special employee with a positive attitude, a
strong work ethic, and a clear sense of the importance of service. Security
Officer, member of the Lake Patrol,
and EMS technician. He supported so many aspects
of this community with his good work. We have lost a good friend.” – John
Buxton, Culver Academies head of schools
“I think the most memorable thing about Jeff was simply his contagious smile.
A few weeks ago, we were called on a fire alarm, about 1 a.m. As is the norm, both the fire and EMS
were called. The fire dept. arrived on the scene first, and the key holder
was already there. Since I was the driver, I was outside with the engine when
the ambulance arrived. As I attempted to walk to the road to tell them they
could return, they met me about the back of the engine. It was Jeff, (EMS
volunteer) Chad Becker, and another EMT, all wearing their matching jackets,
and these bright yellow fire helmets, and grinning from ear to ear. I
couldn’t help but laugh, as they all danced in sync and giggled. I asked what
they were doing and Jeff replied, "We found these in the rig, and
thought we needed a reason to wear them. And this was the perfect time. We
knew you guys would appreciate it." I don’t ever remember seeing Jeff
without his smile.” — Dave Cooper, Culver-Union Twp. volunteer fire
department
“I've known Jeff for a long time and had the pleasure of working with him for
the past eight years on the EMS. Anybody who met Jeff
was a friend. Jeff was always there to back you up or to give an encouraging
word or talk when you needed it. He always tried to get a smile from any
patient that he met. You could always count on Jeff to be there when help was
needed. Jeff will be greatly missed, but for all the lives that he has
touched: thank you for all you have done, and we
will miss you.” —Tim McCarthy, Culver EMS & Fire
“Jeff Willhite was a dedicated public servant and a friend to all. He
will be greatly missed by many throughout Culver and Marshall
County. On behalf of the
City of Plymouth, our thoughts
and prayers are with his family.” -Mark Senter,
mayor of Plymouth
“As we navigate life's path, too often we simply put our lives on cruise and
forget to slow down to enjoy and appreciate the moments around us. Sometimes
these rare moments that cause us to pause are places that capture our imagination;
sometimes they are mere moments in time that cause us to stop and reflect;
sometimes, if we are lucky, these moments are times well spent with good
friends. Evidenced by the community's outpouring of compassion and sympathy,
Jeff Willhite was one of these individuals who was
uniquely able to reach out to us, slow us down, and focus us on the
importance of these moments.
Jeff was my friend and my colleague. I will miss his smile, his endearing
wit, and his infectious laugh. I will forever find peace, though, as I enjoy
moments of rest in the memories of our good times spent together.” — Tom
Thornburg, Culver Academies,
Culver-Union Township EMS
“Contagious...that’s a good word to describe Jeff’s personality. It’s not
very often that any of us want to be near something that is
contagious-especially those of us who work in healthcare or emergency
services. But Jeff knew how to touch people. He made you want to be around
him. Jeff truly worked to be the change that he wished to see in the world.
May we all work to help fill the void created by his passing.
Although small in stature, Jeff’s passing has left a big hole on this
planet...one that was filled by a big hearted guy. Our lives will never be
the same without you, Jeff Willhite, but each life you touched is so much
better for knowing you. A special “thank you” to Jeff’s family for
allowing us all to be a part of the celebration of his life.”
—Rich & Millie Sytsma
“When we gathered around to laugh and talk, a joke was normal. Jeff would always say with a smile and a laugh, ‘Sure,
pick on the little guy.’ Jeff was no “little guy.” he
was always big, big in heart, big in laughter, and big in presence. To
a “little guy” who made a big difference in our community through your
service and a lasting impression on individuals through your smile, May the
Lord look after you till we meet again to have another round of laughter, a
few jokes and some ‘picking on the little guy.’ To the family of Jeff, may
the Lord give you peace and comfort knowing that Jeff was a big guy to all. —Ruth Dilts, Culver EMS
“As we all know, Jeff was an exceptional young man. He loved to be in
the action and was always there for us when we needed help. This was
true both at his full time job as Security at the Academy and his full time
love as an EMT with the ambulance service. He always made time for us,
whether we were working a big event at Culver or at an ambulance scene caring
for patients. He was compassionate, caring and was never afraid to jump in
and help. Jeff never knew a stranger and it always amazed me that he could
meet someone once and become good friends in an instant. He had that
personality and truly loved people.
Many years ago, when Jeff was on duty over a holiday I invited him to dinner
with my family for lasagna and that started a trend. After that if I
made lasagna and he found out that I had not asked him over, his look of
disappointment was more than I could handle. I invited him as often as
I could and will never fix lasagna again without thinking of Jeff. His
enjoyment of life will be missed, his laughter and jokes will be missed, his
energy will be missed and now there is indeed an empty spot in the world that
will never be filled.”
— Sally Ricciardi, Culver town council president,
Culver EMS, and Culver Academies security
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