Merwin Stanley Whittington

VILLE PLATTE – Funeral services for Merwin Stanley Whittington will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Trinity Baptist Church of Turkey Creek. Burial will follow in the Vandenburg Cemetery. Merwin passed away on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, in Ville Platte at the age of 93.

Merwin Stanley Whittington was born on December 8, 1929, in Bayou Chicot, Louisiana to Wilson William Whittington and Eola Huckabee. Merwin was a veteran of the United States Army, where he served in the Korean War. After discharge from the Army, he married his wife of 70 years. He ran a service station in Bayou Chicot for two years before moving on to the State Highway Department for a short time. He spent the majority of his career working in the oil industry on drilling rigs and later transitioned to offshore dispatching.

When not offshore, Merwin could be found hunting, fishing, spending time with friends and family, cooking, and, of course, tinkering in his shop. He was known to work on everything in his shop from washing machines to lawn mowers, as well as make burners out of anything he could find (with the exception of a toilet!). He was a great cook and enjoyed preparing wild game; the shop was where he did some of his most impressive cooking for those he loved. Merwin was notorious for his dry sense of humor and was an expert at telling funny stories and jokes to anyone he met. Making others laugh brought him joy and anyone who knew him is familiar with his wit.

Merwin is survived by his wife of 70 years, Viola; his son, Stanley Keith Whittington, of Bayou Chicot; two daughters: Donna Kay Whittington, of Baton Rouge, and Janet Lynn Whittington, of Bayou Chicot; two grandchildren: Jarred Colby Vidrine and wife, Aimee, of Ville Platte, and Lauren Taighlor Whittington of Baton Rouge; two great-grandchildren: Mary-Margaret Vidrine and Kate Eloise Vidrine; two brothers: Sterling Whittington and Roger Whittington of Bayou Chicot; and a host of nieces and nephews. His memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Wilson William Whittington and Eola Huckabee; his stepmother, Esther Causey Whittington; his sister, Essie Mae; and his brothers: Sherman, Delmont, and Terry.

At the request of the family, visitation will be held at Trinity Baptist Church in Turkey Creek on Friday, August 18, 2023, beginning at 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM and will reopen on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 9:00 AM until time of service at 10:00 AM. Burial to follow at Vandenburg Cemetery, Bayou Chicot.

Family and friends may leave condolences for the family at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.

Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Ville Platte is in charge of arrangements.