NILSON FUNERAL HOME 573-474-8443 Gary Blaine Whitehead, October 11, 1941-June 12, 2012 Gary Whitehead went to be with the Lord, June 12, 2012, at the Veteran’s Home in Mexico, MO, where he had been a resident. There will be a visitation from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, June 15, 2012 at Hallsville Baptist Church. Graveside services with full military honors will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Centralia City Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life service following the graveside service at Hallsville Baptist Church beginning at 11:30 a.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Oneida Whitehead, and sister, Brenda McCarthy. Gary married Mary Anne (Dyle) on March 20, 1965, who resides at their home in Hallsville. They have one daughter, Sheila, son-in-love, Bob Bias, and two grandsons, Nathan and Blane. Gary is also survived by one sister, Julie Harrison and her family of Springfield, and several aunts, one uncle (Raymond Whitehead), nieces, and nephews. Gary served in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he received training as a combat medic. He was wounded August 4, 1968, receiving the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Gary worked at the VA Hospital in Columbia as a Surgical Technician from 1976-1991 until he took retirement. Gary and his family worshiped the Lord at Hallsville Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He served on the mission field to Haiti for many years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to be made to the Missouri Veteran’s Home, Staff Activity Fund. Online condolences may be left for the family at: nilsonfuneralhome.com