Roger Dale "Wheatie" Whitfield, 56, of Madisonville, KY. passed away at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday August 12, 2010 at his home.

He was born on June 13, 1954 in Hopkins County, KY. to the late J.C. Whitfield and Mamie Griffen Whitfield. He was retired after 22 years with the Army National Guard. He was a coal miner for Patriot Coal Company where he was employed from 1974 until his retirement. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Madisonville where he served on the church council. He was a member of American Legion Post 6 where he was active on the executive board. He was also a member of United Mine Workers of America. He enjoyed gardening but his true love was his family.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Janice Gross and Patricia Smith and a brother, James Thomas Whitfield.

He is survived by his wife Terri Fedor Whitfield; four sons, Franklin (Amy) Hunter of Dawson Springs, KY., Christopher (Karen) Whitfield of Paducah, KY., James (Diana) Hunter of Madisonville and Dustin (Lindsay) Hunter of Madisonville; three sisters, Norma Gamble of Belleville, ILL., Martha Lataile of Woonsocket, RI. and Joyce Flowers of Evansville, IN; two brothers, Jack Whitfield Sr. of Madisonville and Mike Whitfield of Henderson, KY.; fourteen grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday August 15, 2010 in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville with Pastor Liberty Lausterer officiating. Military rites will be conducted by 101st Airborne Division and Hopkins County Honor Guard. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday and from noon until service time Sunday at Harris Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Franklin Hunter, Christopher Whitfield, James Hunter, Dustin Hunter, Logan Whitfield and Jack Whitfield Jr.