After battling cancer for eight years, Dr. James Walter Whetstone, 61, passed away on February 28, 2023. He is survived by his wife of over 42 years, Julie, his children, Josh (Lynda), Jamie (Will), and Johanna (Brenton), his grandchildren, Sarah, Alli, Lauren, and Clark; his siblings Dave (Linda), Paul (Tina) and Dr Judith Westman (David); along with his many nieces and nephews. 

James, known to most as Jim, Jimmy, or Doctor Jim, was born to Doctors Paul and Anna Whetstone on October 28, 1961. He grew up in Millersport, Ohio, which is where he met his wife, Julie. Jim and Julie began dating during a high school production of Man of La Mancha - he played the role of Don Quixote and she played the role of Aldonza. A 1979 graduate of Millersport High School, he earned his bachelor's degree from Muskingum University and his Doctor of Medicine from The Ohio State University. After completing his family practice residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital in 1990, Jim and his wife returned to the area to raise their own family, and he joined his parents' practice in Millersport to continue their legacy. They were blessed to work alongside each other for ten years before his parents retired. 

Jim was embedded in the Millersport community in a number of ways - following in his father's footsteps as physician for the high school football team, a regular performer in community theatre productions, and an active member of the Millersport United Methodist Church, including leadership roles, just to name a few. Serving others was paramount to him, as evidenced by his continuing to see patients throughout his various treatments. He was always generous with his talent, resources, and support, but more importantly with his time, kind soul, and gentle spirit.

Being a family physician in a small town enabled Jim to build special bonds and ties with his patients, which often included multiple generations. He truly cared for his staff members and his patients, many of whom he considered to be friends and family of his own. In 2009, he was named Family Physician of the Year by the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, an award that recognized his above-and-beyond service as a medical practitioner. 

Jim would tell you that his greatest accomplishment in life was being a good father. He was an incredibly loving parent who encouraged and supported his children in everything they did, from education, to athletic and musical endeavors, to life decisions and events and everything in between. He wanted nothing more than for his children to follow their dreams, and he taught them to pour their passion and talent into anything they pursued.