Obituary for Dan E. Whitney
Dan E. Whitney
"The Rooster"
"Big Dan"
Dan Whitney, 93, of Twin Falls, passed away peacefully February 12, 2022 at his home. He spent his last day surrounded by his granddaughters, listening to his favorite old western music playing. Dan had an amazing sense of humor and a contagious laugh. He will be missed by many and remembered for his witty songs, big hugs, funny stories and jokes, and by being known for being the biggest dog in the pack.
"Big Dan" was born in Eagle, Idaho on May 3rd, 1928 to Edna Ireland and Neil Whitney. Dan grew up one of 5 siblings and worked on the back of a jack hammer at the age of 14 to help support his family. Dan's Uncle, Clarence Wilson, helped raise Dan into the wonderful man he became. Dan was a cowboy and his love of cowboying led him to many lifelong friends. He was a hard worker and one of the most reputable masonries in Idaho and the surrounding states. He was a legend in the bricklayer stone mason and was a part of their
Union. He spent many years building churches, schools and other monumental buildings.
Dan married the love if his life, Della Shepherd, on January 3rd1949 in Elko NV. Together they raised their 4 children: Randy, Stuart, Shane and Lynetta, starting out in Nevada and eventually settling in Hollister, Idaho. At one point they lived in the Historic Hollister Hotel where many memories were made with the Whitney’s and Shepherds. They eventually bought their homestead on HWY 93 in Hollister, ID.
Dan's sons remember him for teaching them how to hunt, fish and be hard workers. Dan and Della had a great life together with memories at their favorite fishing spot and spending most weekends at their friends, Meryl and Chrissy Rowe's, ranch. He spent many years living in Hollister until his retirement. If he wasn’t at the bar down the trail, he was on his bed under the tree in the back yard singing and telling stories.
Dan eventually retired and moved to his and Della’s dream property in Contact Nevada. He spent his days enjoying the land and spending time with his family, watching animals, sunrises and taking walks up to the water trough. You could always find him outside-from spring to fall-enjoying the sunshine, singing his songs, sparking up a Camel cigarette, and perhaps enjoying a nap.
Eventually, "The Rooster" moved to Jackpot, NV where he enjoyed his Sunday breakfasts with lifelong friend, Robert Loughmiller, and being surrounded by family and friends who always popped in to visit and hear his stories and songs. In 2020 he moved to Twin Falls, ID, where he lived at Ashley Manor Assisted Living where he got to see his great- granddaughters, Della and Jayda, every day. He also got to enjoy holidays with his whole family. He spent his final years there, relaxing on the back patio, enjoying his smokes, singing his songs and sharing laughs with new friends. Dan loved having his great - great grandsons visit. He was known for how much he loved his grandkids, and we are all so lucky to have had the best grandpa. We are all left with an abundance of memories and laughs from a life well lived.
We would like to thank the amazing staff at Ashley Manor for the care and love Dan received there. We would also like to thank Laura and Dr. Helms, along with the whole Encompass Hospice team for the diligent and compassionate care they gave him the past year.
He is survived by his children: Randy Whitney, Stuart (Levina) Whitney, Shane ( Terri) Whitney, Lynetta (Scot) Pettit, Buffy McCoy. Grandchildren: Beth (Forrest) LeBaron, Gina Whitney, Cary (Diane)Whitney, Gerald Whitney, Sean Whitney, Dylan (Kiele) Whitney, Julie (Alex) Torrero , Aubrey (Matt) Ward, Daniel Whitney, Marcia ( Michael) Masterjohn, Zack ( Stephanie) Wood, Corbey (Nikki) McCoy . His brother, Roger Whitney, along with 20 grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.
He is preceded in Death by: his wife, Della Whitney, sisters: Barbara Shepherd, Eilene FIsher, brother: Delbert Whitney, Nephew: David Whitney, great grandsons: Zane Whitney and Trayden Bogner, great granddaughter: Charolette Torrero, along with life long friends Meryl Rowe and Robert Loughmiller.
Dan's memorial service will be held Saturday, February 26, 2022, starting at 2:00 pm, at White- Reynolds Funeral Chapel; 2466 Addison Ave. E. Twin Falls, ID 83301.
"The Rooster"
"Big Dan"
Dan Whitney, 93, of Twin Falls, passed away peacefully February 12, 2022 at his home. He spent his last day surrounded by his granddaughters, listening to his favorite old western music playing. Dan had an amazing sense of humor and a contagious laugh. He will be missed by many and remembered for his witty songs, big hugs, funny stories and jokes, and by being known for being the biggest dog in the pack.
"Big Dan" was born in Eagle, Idaho on May 3rd, 1928 to Edna Ireland and Neil Whitney. Dan grew up one of 5 siblings and worked on the back of a jack hammer at the age of 14 to help support his family. Dan's Uncle, Clarence Wilson, helped raise Dan into the wonderful man he became. Dan was a cowboy and his love of cowboying led him to many lifelong friends. He was a hard worker and one of the most reputable masonries in Idaho and the surrounding states. He was a legend in the bricklayer stone mason and was a part of their
Union. He spent many years building churches, schools and other monumental buildings.
Dan married the love if his life, Della Shepherd, on January 3rd1949 in Elko NV. Together they raised their 4 children: Randy, Stuart, Shane and Lynetta, starting out in Nevada and eventually settling in Hollister, Idaho. At one point they lived in the Historic Hollister Hotel where many memories were made with the Whitney’s and Shepherds. They eventually bought their homestead on HWY 93 in Hollister, ID.
Dan's sons remember him for teaching them how to hunt, fish and be hard workers. Dan and Della had a great life together with memories at their favorite fishing spot and spending most weekends at their friends, Meryl and Chrissy Rowe's, ranch. He spent many years living in Hollister until his retirement. If he wasn’t at the bar down the trail, he was on his bed under the tree in the back yard singing and telling stories.
Dan eventually retired and moved to his and Della’s dream property in Contact Nevada. He spent his days enjoying the land and spending time with his family, watching animals, sunrises and taking walks up to the water trough. You could always find him outside-from spring to fall-enjoying the sunshine, singing his songs, sparking up a Camel cigarette, and perhaps enjoying a nap.
Eventually, "The Rooster" moved to Jackpot, NV where he enjoyed his Sunday breakfasts with lifelong friend, Robert Loughmiller, and being surrounded by family and friends who always popped in to visit and hear his stories and songs. In 2020 he moved to Twin Falls, ID, where he lived at Ashley Manor Assisted Living where he got to see his great- granddaughters, Della and Jayda, every day. He also got to enjoy holidays with his whole family. He spent his final years there, relaxing on the back patio, enjoying his smokes, singing his songs and sharing laughs with new friends. Dan loved having his great - great grandsons visit. He was known for how much he loved his grandkids, and we are all so lucky to have had the best grandpa. We are all left with an abundance of memories and laughs from a life well lived.
We would like to thank the amazing staff at Ashley Manor for the care and love Dan received there. We would also like to thank Laura and Dr. Helms, along with the whole Encompass Hospice team for the diligent and compassionate care they gave him the past year.
He is survived by his children: Randy Whitney, Stuart (Levina) Whitney, Shane ( Terri) Whitney, Lynetta (Scot) Pettit, Buffy McCoy. Grandchildren: Beth (Forrest) LeBaron, Gina Whitney, Cary (Diane)Whitney, Gerald Whitney, Sean Whitney, Dylan (Kiele) Whitney, Julie (Alex) Torrero , Aubrey (Matt) Ward, Daniel Whitney, Marcia ( Michael) Masterjohn, Zack ( Stephanie) Wood, Corbey (Nikki) McCoy . His brother, Roger Whitney, along with 20 grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.
He is preceded in Death by: his wife, Della Whitney, sisters: Barbara Shepherd, Eilene FIsher, brother: Delbert Whitney, Nephew: David Whitney, great grandsons: Zane Whitney and Trayden Bogner, great granddaughter: Charolette Torrero, along with life long friends Meryl Rowe and Robert Loughmiller.
Dan's memorial service will be held Saturday, February 26, 2022, starting at 2:00 pm, at White- Reynolds Funeral Chapel; 2466 Addison Ave. E. Twin Falls, ID 83301.