Stephen R. Whitesell

Stephen R. Whitesell, age 70, died on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at his Indianapolis home. He was born April 8, 1948 in Terre Haute, Indiana, the oldest of three sons to Reed and Beulah (Denham) Whitesell. He attended Brazil Senior High School before going on to Rose Polytechnic University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics.  He then continued his studies to receive a Masters Degree in Physics from the University of Illinois.

On August 29, 1970 he married the love of his life Donna. Together they had six children.  He came from a simple beginning, was humble, and hard working.  A devout family man he could always be found helping with homework, watching his kids sporting events, or at the bowling alley with Donna.

Steve spent 40 years working in the telecommunications industry for what was originally Bell Laboratories until his retirement from Philips Electronics. He was a leader within the standards community providing significant contributions to the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) where he served as Chair of TR-41 Engineering Committee, Performance and Accessibility of Communications Products, for 15 years. In 2015 he was awarded the Finegan Standards Medal from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The award “honors an individual, not necessarily an executive, who has shown extraordinary leadership in the development and application of voluntary standards.”

Most recently Steve had been enjoying retirement to the fullest.  He regularly traveled to spend time with his children and grandchildren, enjoyed Sudoku and a good cross-word puzzle, and watching the Yankees.  He was a good friend to many and will be missed by all.

He is survived by his beloved wife Donna of Howell NJ; his six children, Kristen (Jeff) Dawn, Kim (John) Larson, Kevin (Arlene Griffin) Whitesell, Kathryn (Kevin) Briede, Kyle (Melissa) Whitesell, Kari (Oliver) Doclosen; his seven grandchildren, Jack, Carolyn, Allison, Ethan, Caitlin, Gavin, Liam; and his two brothers Tom (Sondra) Whitesell, and Kenny (Brenda) Whitesell.

A viewing will be held Wednesday, September 19, 2018 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park North, 2706 Kessler Blvd. W. Dr. Indianapolis, IN.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at 11:00am at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 6000 W 34th St, Indianapolis, IN.

“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made.  Our times are in his hand who saith, ‘A whole I planned, youth shows but half; Trust God: See all, nor be afraid!” – Robert Browning