Lowell Whitacre

Lowell Franklin Whitacre

February 12, 1932-March 16, 2025

Lowell Whitacre passed away peacefully on March 16, surrounded by his four children and family members. Lowell was born on February 12, 1932, to Marion Ellsworth Whitacre and Esta Pauline Whitacre in Greenville, Ohio. His parents preceded him in death as did his older sister Ruby Hummel (Walter), his grandson, Andrew Nathan Whitacre, and his nephews, Billy and Bobby Hummel.

Lowell attended Wayne High School and graduated with a class of eleven in 1950. While there he played on the baseball team and, unable to play basketball because of a childhood neck injury, he was student manager of the basketball team. During this time he also was said to have become a pretty fair billiards player around Union City.

On Valentine's Day (February 14) 1951 Lowell married Kathryn (Kaye) Marie West. It was a union that would last 73 years until her death on May 6, 2024.

Lowell completed his apprenticeship as a meat cutter for A&P in Muncie, where the family lived briefly. He was then offered the meat manager position at the A&P in Union City until it closed in the mid- 1970s. Following that he went to work for a friend in the carpet and flooring business, ultimately buying his own store and starting Whitacre's Floor Covering in Union City.

The Whitacre's had four children, Kirby (Laurie) of South Bend, Kevin (Kristin) of Zionsville, Kelly (Kim) of Fort Wayne, and Linda (Curt) of Arcanum, Ohio.

After high school, he participated in fast-pitch softball and bowling in the Union City area, and later, along with his brother-in-law (Glen Beisner) participated in rodeo events on weekends in the summer. Lowell spent many years managing his children in the Union City Kiwanis Little League system. His teams won several championships.

Later Lowell participated in the Hub City and Darke County Independent Basketball Leagues and the Union City Slow-pitch Softball League as well as participating in area trap-shooting. He also became an avid motorcycle and snowmobile rider and successfully took up golf. Together he and Kaye owned a cottage at Lake Webster for several years where the family spent many happy hours. They later enjoyed owning and traveling in a motorhome.

Lowell embraced the game of corn-hole, both as a player and as a manufacturer of the equipment for the game.

Lowell, in addition to his children, leaves 10 surviving grand-children and 6 great-grandchildren to cherish his memory.

The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday March 22, 2025, at the Reichard Funeral Home, 400 W. Deerfield Road Union City, IN.

Immediately following the time of visitation, a Funeral Service to celebrate Lowells’ life will begin at 1:00 pm. Burial will take place at Lisbon Cemetery in Union City, IN.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made to the Whitacre Family Charitable Fund, in honor of Lowell and Kathryn Whitacre, C/O The Community Foundation of Randolph County, 120 West Washington Street, Winchester, Indiana 47394 or EverHeart Hospice 1350 N. Broadway Street, Greenville, OH 45331. Online condolences may be expressed at www.reichardfh.com