Life story Mr. Gordon D. Whitney, age 78, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, November 13, 2005 at the Hospice Pavilion in Louisville, Kentucky. Born September 2, 1927 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he was the son of Chris C. and Eva L. Baker, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his wife, the former Marilyn Cole, whom he married on October 30, 1948, and one brother, Dick Whitney. Mr. Whitney was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served in World War II. He was a retired firefighter for the Hammond, Indiana fire department, worked in the safety and security department for Marble Hill, and was the safety director on the Namex project for the Dow Corning Company. He was the past president of the Chicago and Louisville Civil War Roundtables. In 1985, he and his late wife founded the Civil War Roundtable in Madison, where he was later named president. Mr. Whitney was a published author of Civil War material, including his book, Jefferson Davis in Blue. He was also a board member of the Jefferson County Historical Society, and a member of the International Association of Firefighters since 1949. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law: Christine L. and Steve Kinney and Cathleen A. and Bill Kalb, all of Garland, Texas; one son and daughter-in-law, Charles Eli, III and Constance Whitney of Madison; and six grandchildren: Thomas G. Kalb, Karen A. Kalb, Susanne L. Kinney, Carilynn E. Kinney, Alicia L. Whitney and Tracy L. Westrick. The Reverend Robert Leach will conduct memorial services at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 19, 2005 at the Lytle Funeral Chapel. The family requests that contributions in memory of Mr. Whitney be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Memorial envelopes are available at the funeral chapel. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gordon D. Whitney, please visit our floral store.