Keith J. Whiteside

Keith J. Whiteside, age 83, of Morrisville, PA passed away at his home. He was born in Abington, PA to John and Etta Johnson Whiteside and raised in Newtown. Keith married the former Loretta Hart of Morrisville at the Newtown Presbyterian Church on December 1, 59 years ago. Keith was a man who loved his family, friends, traveling, and golf. He graduated as Newtown High School changed its name to Council Rock in 1950. He studied masonry and graduated from Williamson College of the Trades in Media, PA in 1953. After one and a half years working in his trade, he worked at US Steel until he retired at age 60. Keith served as president of the board of deacons and an elder on the Session at the First Presbyterian Church of Morrisville. After retirement, Keith and Loretta traveled the US, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean Islands. Wherever they went, friends and memories were made.Keith enjoyed telling people how he met Loretta at a dance and made his best choice in marrying her. He was proud of his two daughters, Jeannie and Carolynn, and claimed that his grandchildren gave him "a new lease on life." As a father, he chaperoned band and girl scout trips, coached and umpired softball games, and took pleasure in seeing his daughters graduate from Penn State and graduate school. As a grandfather, he attended dance recitals, played games, and drove weekly to be close to his grandchildren in Long Island: Kristin, Jessica, and Mark, Jr. He lived to see his granddaughters start the family's Penn State tradition and to watch his grandson's football games begin.Keith was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother John Merritt Whiteside.Keith is survived by his wife Loretta Hart Whiteside, daughter Jeannie and son-in-law Steve Sorensen of Denison, Texas, daughter Carolynn and son-in-law Dr. Mark Pillitteri, and their three children, Keith's grandchildren Kristin, Jessica, and Mark, Jr. of West Islip, NY. He is survived by his sister-in-law Lee Whiteside of Kennett Square, PA and her children Scott Whiteside, Kelli Marvel, and Terri Conover and their families. Keith was especially close to his Hart family relatives, including Loretta's three brothers, their wives and children: Lew and Carolyn Hart of Yardley (children Kimberly Fuller and Greg Hart), Robert and Betty Hart of Washington's Crossing (children Kelly and Robert Hart, Jr.) and Richard and Jeanne Hart of Syracuse, NY (children Debra Jean Nuzzo and Richard Hart, Jr.).Keith spent his final years fighting a rare motor-neurological disease with his wife caring for him at home. The family wishes to thank his physicians, nurses, aides, social worker, volunteers, and the Chandler Hall Hospice program for their support. All who loved Keith will remember him as outgoing, caring, and fun loving, always ready to share a good time. His family and many friends are invited to a memorial service to celebrate his life at 12 noon on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at the Morrisville Presbyterian Church, 771 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Morrisville, PA 19067. The Rev. Bruce Ballantine, Pastor, will officiate. His interment will be held privately, at the convenience of the family.Friends may call Saturday morning from 11 AM - 12 Noon in the church lounge.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Keith's name be sent to the Morrisville Ambulance Squad, 139 N. Washington St., Morrisville, PA 19067 or to Chandler Hall Hospice, 99 Barclay St., Newtown, PA 18940.Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel, Morrisville, PA (www.hooperfuneralchapel.com).

Calling Hour
Saturday, March 5, 2016
11:00:00 - 12:00:00
Morrisville Presbyterian Church
Church Lounge
771 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Morrisville PA

Memorial Service
Saturday, March 5, 2016
12:00:00
Morrisville Presbyterian Church
Hutchinson Memorial Chapel
771 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Morrisville PA