Christian B. Whittingham

Christian Buchanan Whittingham, 20, of New Philadelphia passed away Sunday, January 8, 2017 at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands as a result of a snorkeling accident that occurred earlier at Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI. The accident occurred while the family was on a vacation there.

Born in Canton, Ohio on April 23, 1996, he is the son of Donald J. and Susan E. Whittingham, of New Philadelphia.

Christian was a 2014 graduate of New Philadelphia High School. He continued his formal education at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio where he was currently in his junior year of study. Christian was working toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.

He enjoyed golfing, skateboarding, music; but most importantly, Christian loved his friends and the times they shared.

In addition to his parents, Christian is survived by his family including his grandmother, Regina Whittingham of Dover; aunts, Jennifer M. (Jorge) Lopez of Spring Hill, Florida, Beth Ann (Craig) Pearlman of Chicago, Ill, and Diedre (Don) Coutts of New Philadelphia; uncle, William Duerig of Florida; cousins, Ashley M. and Olivia M. Lopez, both of Spring Hill, Florida, Nathan J. Pearlman of Chicago, Ill, and Hunter Duerig of Dover.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Paul and Mary Buchanan Duerig and his paternal grandfather, Donald Whittingham, Jr.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home on Friday from 5 to 8 pm and again Saturday from 9 to 11 am. A service honoring Christian will be held Saturday at noon in the First United Church of Christ in New Philadelphia. Burial will follow the service in Calvary Cemetery at Dover. Family and friends are invited to the Performing Arts Center for a reception following the committal service.

Memorial contributions may be directed to The Quaker Foundation where a scholarship will be established in Christian’s memory, PO Box 627, 124 North Broadway, New Philadelphia, OH 44663-2610.

As a final act of gratitude, please participate in an act of kindness.