Obituary of Jeffrey "Whitey" Lathrop

Jeffrey D. “Whitey” Lathrop, 72, passed away Thursday, July 6, 2023 surrounded by his loving family at the Bird House, Hospice Home of Johnson County.

A memorial visitation will be held 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Monday, July 10, 2023 at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch. A celebration of life will be held 10 A.M. Tuesday at the West Branch United Methodist Church. Inurnment will be in the West Branch Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials in Whitey’s name to the West Branch United Methodist Church, the West Branch First Responders or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Jeffrey D. Lathrop was born June 30, 1951 to Kenneth D. and Patricia A. (Albin) Lathrop in Iowa City, Iowa.  He resided his entire life in West Branch, attending West Branch schools and Kirkwood Community College.  As a youngster he enjoyed participating in sports, especially baseball. He earned his nickname Whitey because he pitched left-handed and idolized Whitey Ford, a left-handed pitcher for the NY Yankees.  His nickname stayed with him for his entire life.

On October 6, 1979 he married Nancy Ristvedt in West Branch.  Together they loved helping raise Whitey’s daughter, Brenda.  Their 43 years of marriage were loving and loyal and filled with a deep devotion for each other.  They enjoyed attending sporting events, traveling the United States, or just sharing a quiet dinner they had prepared together. 

Whitey had a strong work ethic even as a youngster.  When the opportunity presented itself he purchased a service station, Whitey’s Standard in West Branch, a business he owned and operated for 10 years.  He enjoyed mentoring young men to become good workers and they revered him for years to come because of this.  He later went to work for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics as a facilities mechanic, a job he held for over 25 years.  He was known by his colleagues and superiors as a conscientious worker and leader, always making sure the job was done and done right.

Whitey was an avid Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeye fan but his greatest passion was golf.  He loved the game especially playing with his many friends on Wednesday afternoons.  He achieved two hole-in-ones in his golfing career.  Quiet in his faith, he was a life-long member of the West Branch United Methodist Church.  He also enjoyed being a part of the football “pickers” at the Iowa City American Legion.

Whitey is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy, daughter Brenda (Mike) Alberhasky of North Liberty, granddaughter Caitlyn (Jeff) Reinhard, Iowa City and grandson Cole McKillip of North Liberty.  He was smitten with his six-month old great granddaughter Reese who brought him much joy in his last days.  Others left to cherish his memory are his stepmother Ruth Lathrop of West Branch, brothers Dennis (LouAnn) of Woodlawn Hills, CA, and Mike (Susan) of Indianola, sister Cindy (Steve) Lynch of West Branch, two step-sisters, Sherrie Anderson of Raytown, MO and Theresa Winders of Lake Wales, FL, a brother-in-law Jim (Jodi) Larson of Chicago, IL as well as many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Thomas Larson.

The family offers prayers of thanksgiving for all who prayed for us and who cared and comforted us throughout his short illness.  These acts of kindness will never be forgotten.