Gerald Burton "Whitey" Weaver

WEAVER, Gerald Burton "Whitey" - Age 101, of Swartz Creek, passed away Monday, November 11, 2024. Funeral services will be held 12:30 PM Monday, November 18, 2024 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek (the service will be live streamed and can be viewed via the link on Whitey's obituary page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com) Minister Paul Holland officiating. Burial immediately following at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Sunday from 12:30 -5:00 PM and Monday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service. 

Whitey was born October 11, 1923 in Buchanan, the son of Floyd and Helen (Rodeen) Weaver. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp, known the Air Force on December 1, 1942 and was a WWII veteran, he also had two brothers serving in WWII. He took flight training at several bases and graduated from flight school at Eagle Pass, TX, where he was commissioned as 2nd Lt. He then went to Abilene, TX for training as a P-47 fighter pilot. He had also flown P-40, F-80 and co-piloted P-17 and B-26. Whitey was assigned to the 57 Fighter Group in Grosseto, Italy. They were flying ground support missions. In August we were on the ocean heading directly to Okinawa to operate against Japan. They surrendered and we we're returned to the U.S. and sent to Drew Field in Tampa. He was separated in November 1945, but remained in the Air Force Reserves. He retired as a Major after 20 years of active and reserve service. Whitey received a Bachelor's Degree from Olivet College in Olivet, where he played both basketball and football; he then received a Master's Degree from Central Michigan University. He was a teacher/principal/coach for the Coldwater School System for 30 years. Three of his students, Jeff Kellogg and Tim and Bill Welke are now Major League Umpires. He had been a season ticket holder for the Detroit Tigers spring training for 32 years. Whitey was a member of Swartz Creek Church of Christ. 

Surviving are: his wife, June; stepsons, Tom Haney Jr. of Gladwin, Randy (Carol) Haney of Fenton; several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Betty Weaver; stepsons, Robert and Dwayne Haney; stepdaughter, Kay Ellis; brothers, Irwin and Burl Weaver; sisters, Donna Belle and Beverly. Online tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.