James “Mick” Whitehill

Monday, March 21, 2022 3:09 am

James Michael (Mick) Whitehill, age 74, of Decorah left to be with the Lord on Sunday morning, March 20, 2022 at Wellington Place Nursing Home in Decorah, Iowa after a nearly year-long battle with Leukemia.

Funeral services will be on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 604 West Broadway St, in Decorah with Pastor Michael Wilker presiding. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the church. The Helms Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Mick was born in Storm Lake, Iowa, the oldest of three boys. His family later moved to Sioux City, Iowa where his father started a dental practice. Mick followed in his father’s footsteps, graduating in 1970 from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake. It was also there where his two children, Tricia and Troy, were born in quick succession. He graduated from the University of Iowa Dental School in 1974 before moving back to Sioux City to practice dentistry alongside his father and later his middle brother, Kim. Next, he moved to Richmond, Virginia becoming a Professor of Dentistry at the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Common Wealth University. He was highly regarded by his students and fellow professors, and was at the tip of the spear in adopting technology to advance educational programs.

Mick’s family meant everything to him. He loved being a father to Tricia and Troy and giving them an appreciation for the outdoors. Together they created cherished memories camping, hiking, biking, swimming and playing tennis. In 1995 Mick married the love of his life, Wilma. They retired to Naples, Florida where they enjoyed a full life in their Longshore Lake community playing competitive tennis in multiple leagues. They also loved taking cruises around the world with their dear friends, and entertaining their combined families in Virginia Beach and Naples. They especially loved quality pool time with their granddaughters Kinsey, Katie and Lily whom Mick lovingly referred to as his “Little Darlings.”

In addition to his adoring family, Mick also had an abundance of close friends from all the places he lived. Everyone lucky enough to know him will remember first and foremost his quick witted one-liners. He was a sentimental man, known for making his famous molar cookies at Christmas, and personalized mixed tapes, birthday cards and special family CDs which will be cherished forever.

He was preceded in death by his wife Wilma; his parents, James and Jeanne; and his brother Kim.

He is survived by his two children: Tricia Whitehill of Rochester, Minn., and Troy (Michelle) Whitehill of Decorah; grandchildren Kinsey and Katie Whitehill and Liliana Morton; step-daughters Wendy Pryor and Carly (Jesse) Morton. He is also survived by his youngest brother Tracy (Carol) Whitehill of Sioux City, and sister-in-law Sandi Whitehill of Axline, Iowa; nephews and nieces Trent (Dawn) Whitehill, Wendy (Scott) Johnson and Tyson (Jessica) Whitehill and great nieces and nephews Abby, Dallon, Keaton, Beau, Baylee and Lexee.