Dan Whittle, 74, a longtime Rutherford County Tennessee journalist, died Thursday after a battle with leukemia.

A native of Missouri, Whittle was well known for his wit and humor. He wrote for the The Daily News Journal and was a contributor for the Murfreesboro Post. He spent a lifetime giving back to the community by working with organizations like Room in the Inn and Habitat for Humanity. He wrote numerous books about growing up in the boot heel of Missouri as well as cookbook.

Whittle was inducted into the Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame, which he co-founded, in 2018. He was an avid supporter of the Tennessee Fisher House, as well as Habitat for Humanity of Rutherford County, for which he spearheaded the Whittlemania fundraiser to help build homes for families in need.

Funeral arrangements:

Woodfin Funeral Home, 203 N. Lowry St. in Smyrna, is handling arrangements. The funeral home will host a visitation 3-7 p.m. Friday, and the service is set for 1 p.m. Saturday. Burial at Mapleview Cemetery in Smyrna will follow.

Officiants include Pastor Dan Parker from Parkway Baptist and the Rev. Ivan Sheffield of Green Hill Baptist in Smyrna, and longtime friend Gary Lewis.

Memorials may be made to:

  • The Dan Whittle MTSU Journalism Scholarship Fund, c/o Abby White, MTSU Box 51, 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, TN 37132
  • Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame, Box 202, Lascassas, TN 37085
  • Fisher House Foundation, Box 774, Brentwood, TN 37024
  • Alive Hospice of Murfreesboro, 1629 Williams Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37129