Cleveland WhittenCleveland Woodward Whitten, Jr., age 88, retired Martin County farmer, died at Midland Memorial Hospice on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 after a brief illness.Mr. Whitten was born December 8, 1917 in Staples, Texas, moving with his family to Cedar Bend, Mitchell County Texas in 1921. Cleve enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, during World War II, and was stationed at Molesworth, England Air base, assigned to the 303rd Bomb Group. He was a B-17 ball turret gunner and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.Cleve and Carole, after a brief courtship, were united in marriage in Sioux City, Iowa on Oct. 8, 1944. They moved to Freeport, Texas, getting to know each other, traveling and having adventures, before expanding their family in 1949. He moved his family to Angleton, Texas in 1953, worked for Ethyl-Dow Chemical until 1969. In 1972 their family moved to Midland, Texas.Cleve kept busy in retirement on their 160 acre Rock Farm?, but took the time to sit on the deck, smoke his pipe, listen to the coyotes, watch the birds and enjoy the West Texas Sunsets.Cleveland is survived by his wife, of almost 62 years, Carole Jean; daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Richard Scola of Oakdale, CA; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Robert Kunkel of Austin, TX; four grandchildren, Tami Velasquez and husband, Andres of Midland, TX; Jennifer Heuer, William Heuer and Nathan Lee Anders; two great grandchildren, Marisa Heuer-Sanchez and Mason Jamison; Brother? Fred Hannah and wife, Gene.He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.Mr. Whitten was preceded in death by one daughter, Cheryl Ann Whitten Anders; a sister, Rena Marie Humphreys and parents, Cleveland, Sr. and Catherine Whitten.There will be a small family service at a later date. His family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Hospice of Midland for their exceptional care of Cleveland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Hospice of Midland, PO Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702.Cleve was a quiet, private man. His generosity and kind heart were an inspiration to his family. He lived his life with integrity and bravery.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
