Chris Whitesell

Chris Whitesell, 64, Dunkirk, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at The Waters of Dunkirk following a brief illness.

Born in Portland on Dec. 12, 1958, he grew up in Dunkirk and graduated from Jay County High School in 1977. He also received banking credentials from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Chris was a banker for 46 years; he began as a teller and was the current chief financial officer at Citizens State Bank of New Castle. He was a member of Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church and Neighborhood Crime Watch. He formerly belonged to the Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation and Rotary Club of Hartford City.

Chris enjoyed doing yard work, watching NASCAR, traveling — including trips to Gatlinburg with Deb — and most importantly he loved being with family, his grandchildren and attending their activities. 

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Debbie Whitesell; daughters Nicole Knoth (husband: Dave), Fort Wayne, and Lauren Whitesell, Fort Wayne; mother Aloma Whitesell, Dunkirk; brothers Danny R. Whitesell (wife: Carol), Dunkirk, and Mike Whitesell (wife: Brenda), Dunkirk; sister Robin Hayden (husband: Kip), Dunkirk; brothers-in-law Gorden Lowe (wife: Ginger), Clarence Lowe (wife: Marty), Alton Lowe (wife: Reba), Warren Lowe (wife: Jan) and Junior Price; sister-in-law Jennie Henry (husband: Dick); grandchildren Sydney, Abram, Chloe and Ethan Christopher; and nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father Richard “Dick” Whitesell; in-laws Raymond and Inez Lowe; sisters-in-law Ruthann Lowe, Florene Lowe and Sharon Price; and nephews Jarrod Whitesell and one who died in infancy.

Services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at Meacham Funeral Service with burial following at Dunkirk I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

Visiting hours are Friday from noon until 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be sent to Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana or The Dunkirk Foundation.

Condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be given at MeachamFuneralService.com.