John Arthur Ivester

Mr. Ivester's final place of rest is at Garden of Yonah II, M-11, Space 2. Mr. John Arthur Ivester, age 87, of Toccoa, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at his residence following an extended illness. Born in Habersham County, Georgia on December 11, 1921 he was a son of the late Pink B. Ivester and Blanche Jameson Ivester. Mr. Ivester served our country proudly in the U.S. Army during WWII, was a retired employee of Chicopee Mfg (Johnson & Johnson) with 39 years of service. He was a member of the Antioch Baptist Church, where he was Deacon Emeritus, previously taught Sunday school and was a member of the Gideons International, Habersham South Camp. Mr. Ivester was preceded in death by his 2 sisters, 3 brothers and was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Mary Ophelia "Trixie" Ivester, Toccoa; daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda and Larry Farina, Hendersonville, TN, Donna and Trey Feazell, Marietta, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Elizabeth Ivester, Tom Ball, TX; and 9 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 15, 2009 from the Antioch Baptist Church with Rev. Brian Stephens and Rev. David Harbin officiating. Burial will follow in the Yonah Memorial Gardens in Demorest with full military honors provided by the Grant Reeves VFW Post # 7720, American Legion Post # 84 and the Rabun County DAV Chapter # 15. The family will receive friends at the North Chapel from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. Those wishing to express online condolences to the Ivester family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, GA 706-778-1700. Cemetery Arrangements are entrusted to Yonah Memorial Gardens at 255 Central Ave. Demorest, Ga. Telephone 706-778-8599.