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Friday, July 28, 2017

The Whittle Family of Morgan County, Missouri

This article follows up my previous post titled Patrick Swayze's Unknown Son.

In 1972, when Patrick Swayze was 20 years old, he got a 15-year-old girl named Bonnie Kay Whittle pregnant. She lived near Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. In 1973, he gave birth to a boy, Jason Whittle, who now is 44 years old. It seems likely that Swayze, who died in 2009, never knew anything at all about Jason Whittle.

I no longer will use the word "alleged", because a couple of comments on my previous article confirmed Globe's  article to my satisfaction.

Bonnie Kay Whittle Lada
A photograph from the "Find a Grave" website.
Bonnie Kay Whittle Lada was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 1, 1956, and died on August 12, 2012, in Barnett, Missouri. She was the daughter of Milvon and Lebetta (Luvin) Whittle.

The Find A Grave website reports further:
In 1995, in Harrison, Arkansas, she was married to Ronald Lada, who survives at the home. Bonnie enjoyed camping, music, dancing and spending time with her family and friends.

Others who survive her include: five children:

* Jason Whittle ...

* Ben Curtman ...

* Maria Klein ...

* Michael Wilson ...

* Travis Lada ...
Four sons with different last names, because she was married at least three times. The youngest child has the same family name -- Lada -- as her widower.

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Bonnie Kay's father, Milvon Whittle, was described in his obituary as follows:
Milvon Whittle, 65, Barnett, died Oct. 2, 1999, at his home.

He was born Feb. 18, 1934, in Morgan County, a son of Everett and Alpha Ellen Branch Whittle. He was married April 18, 1953, to Lebetta Luvin, who survives at the home.

He was a self-employed tree trimmer and log buyer. He was a member of Mount Nebo Church, Versailles.

Other survivors include: three sons, Ronnie Whittle, Eldon, Randy Whittle, Barnett, and Rodney Luvin, Columbia; four daughters, Debbie Sieling, Belinda Byrd and Brenda Draeger, all of Eldon, and Bonnie Lada, Bagnell Dam; one brother, Wilford Whittle, Barnett; one sister, Lula Capps, Stover; 23 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
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Bonnie Kay had an aunt (her mother's sister) named Bonnie (née Luvin) Vansell, whose obituary reported a lot of family relationships:
Bonnie Vansell .... was born March 12, 1943, in Napoleon, Missouri. ....

On August 20, 1960, at the Stover United Methodist Church, Bonnie was united in marriage to Raymond Vansell, who survives at their home.

As a teenager Bonnie worked at Primo Pants Factory in Versailles. She later worked as a CNA at the Golden Age Living Center in Stover. ...

She is survived by four children (Bonny Kay's cousins) and their spouses:

* Rick and Lisa Vansell of Stover ...

* Gina and Kent Englbrecht of Stover ...

* Aaron and Crystal Vansell of Versailles ...

* Michael Wood of Stover ...

and six siblings (Bonnie Kay's aunts and uncles)

** Louise and Bob Kimball of Sacramento, California ...

** Loretta Klindworth of Stover ...

** Lebetta Whittle (Bonnie Kay's mother) of Barnett ...

** Ellis and Marilyn Luvin of Kansas City ...

** Roy and Rose Luvin of Stover ...

** Peggy Eckhoff of Barnett ...
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In 2016, a younger Milvon Whittle (a grandson?) worked as a bus driver for the R-I School District of Morgan County, Missouri. Morgan County touches on Lake of the Ozarks, which is where Globe magazine reported that Bonnie Kay Whittle met Patrick Swayze in 1972.

The central town of the Morgan County R-I School District is Stover. In the year 1970 (two years before Bonney Kay met Patrick Swayze), Stover's population was only 849. By the last census in 2010, Stover's population had grown to 1,094.

Morgan County School District R-I is dark gray.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park in at bottom-right corner.
(Click the image to enlarge it.)
Directly east from School District R-1 is District R-Ii, which encompasses Versailles, which is the seat of Morgan County. If you drive from Stover to Versailles and continue on Highway 52, you come to Eldon, which will be mentioned below.

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Sometime between 1972, when Bonnie Kay Whittle met Patrick Swayze, Lebetta Whittle and much of her family moved from the Stover area to Springfield, Missouri.

After Bonnie Kay Whittle met Patrick Swayze,
she and her mother moved from the Stover area to Springfield, Missouri.
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The Springfield Leader and Press newspaper, published in Springfield, Missouri, reported on July 24, 1974:
Rented Home of 8 Damaged by Blaze

Springfield firemen put a quick stop to a fire at at residence occupied by eight persons at 2153 South Weller, but said two of its five rooms were extensively damaged.

The blaze, at the residence of Mrs. Lebetta Whittle, was reported at 10:34 p.m. Tuesday while much of the city's fire-fighting force was tied up at the scene of an asphalt explosion and fire at Sequiota Park. ....

The home rented by Mrs. Whittle also was occupied by

* her daughter, Mrs. Debbie Johns, 20, her three children, Tina Marie, Venus and Trevis Johns,

* another daughter, Mrs. Bonnie Curtman, 18, and a son, Jason James Whittle, and

* and a third daughter, Belinda Whittle, 15.

The owner of the house is H. H. Stokes.

[Fire Inspector Herschel] Jordan said the fire apparently started in the garage, probably from a firecracker or matches. The family was removing belongings out of the house when the neighbors called in the alarm.

Firemen confined the damage to about 50 percent of two rooms and managed to cover furnishings and save the other three rooms from extensive damage, Jordan said.
On that day, July 24, 1974, Bonnie Kay's age was 18 years old and almost three months. At some previous date she had married a man named Curtman.

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The above list of Bonnie Kay's children included a boy named Ben Curtman -- Jason's younger brother.

So, when Bonnie Kay gave birth to her first son, Jason, she was unmarried, and so Jason was given Bonnie Kay's family name Whittle.

By the time Ben was born, Bonnie Kay was married to a man named Curtman. (Jason Whittle certainly knew that Mr. Curtman was not his biological father.)

The third child, Maria, might have grown up as Maria Curtman or as Maria Wilson -- but eventually Maria married and became Maria Klein.

The child after Maria is Michael Wilson. Therefore, Bonnie Kay stopped being married to Mr. Curtman and became married to a Mr. Wilson.

Ultimately Bonnie Kay married Ronald Lada and gave birth to Travis Lada.

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Ben Curtman's full name is Ben Cary Curtman.

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When I discovered that Jason Whittle's middle name is James, I found that he married Delpha Rachelle Bell Stevens on November 14, 2015. At that time, they both lived in Stover, Missouri.

When I discovered that his wife was named Delpha Stevens, I found the obituary of her mother Diana Bradshaw, who lived her whole life in the area of Kansas City, Missouri, and died there on October 27, 2016. Bradshaw had one surviving child, Delpha Stevens Whittle, who had one daughter, Izzabella Whittle. Through her step-son Jason Whittle, Bradshaw had step-grandchildren Riley and Noah.

I found also that Delpha Whittle at some time worked as a teachers aide at Dogwood Hills School, in Eldon, Missouri. The school educates severely disabled children. In the above map showing the school district, Eldon is located on the image's center-right side.

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Bonnie Kay Whittle died in Barnett, Missouri. which is about a 20-mile drive east from Stover. The drive is through Versailles.

The drive between Stover and Barnett, Missouri.
(Click on the image to enlarge it.)
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Bonnie Kay's father Milvon Whittle died in 1999 and is buried in Big Rock Cemetery.


Bonnie Kay's mother Lebetta Jane Whittle is still alive, according to the Globe article. Her death date is not on this photograph of her late husband's tombstone.

Big Rock Church and Cemetery is located between Versailles and Barnett (where Bonnie Kay died).

(Click the image to enlarge it.)
Morgan County includes Barnett, Big Rock, Versailles and Stover.

Since the gravesite of Milvon and Lebetta is in Big Rock Cemetery, I assume that the lived in that vicinity and attended Big Rock Church. If so, then that is where Bonnie Kay spent at least some of her childhood and attended church.

Below are photographs of Big Rock Church and Cemetery at the intersection of Big Rock and Mule Drive, northwest of Barnett in Morgan County, Missouri. (It looks to me that this church has been replaced by a business complex called Scotty's Super Services.)







Following are photographs, taken in 2000, of the church's interior.







I that Bonnie Kay Whittle attended this church when she was a girl. Maybe she sometimes took her son Jason James Whittle to services there too.

This religious upbringing might explain why Bonnie Kay decided not to get an abortion when she became pregnant, even though she was only 15 years old -- and also why she decided to just repent her sin, get on with her life, raise her child and not spoil Patrick Swayze's life.

On the other hand, why did Bonnie Kay go and have sex with Patrick Swayze when she was only 15?

An interesting movie -- a pro-life movie -- could be made about the life of Bonnie Kay Whittle and her affair with Patrick Swayze, who became world-famous for making a pro-choice movie.

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This is the second article of a series.

The first article is titled Patrick Swayze's Unknown Son.

The third article is titled The Disney on Parade 1972 Tour and Patrick Swayze.

The fourth article is titled Patrick Swayze met Bonnie Kay Whittle in April 1972.

The fifth article is titled No More News About Jason Whittle

The sixth article is titled A Comment from the Son of Jason Whittle

The seventh article is titled Patrick Swayze: "I was born to be a dad"

32 comments:

  1. You're research is quite extensive. I'm distantly related to all of these people. However, I don't have a huge relationship with all of them because it is rather large. I went to high school with Jason and graduated with him. The town Versailles is spelled with an S. It blows my mind that Jason could be his son. It would be sad not getting to know Patrick as your father growing up. Such a huge resemblance. I will let you know there is also another Jason Whittle with a date of birt 1975 who was a professional football player who graduated from Candenton High School of which I know as well. Camdenton is in the Lake of the Ozarks as well.

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  2. Inconsistencies as follows: Travis Lada is NOT the son of Bonnie and Ronald Lada .He is the son of Louise and Ronald Lada. Louise is Ronald's previous wife .Bonnie's obit where you obviously got this info is incorrect. Check your facts. Ronald is not alive. He died in 2015.

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  3. Dont think anyone is really interested in the whittle family

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    2. Big Rock Church is alive and well! Scottys Super Service is down the street!

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    3. I am, if DNA proves that Mr. Whittle is Mr. Swazi's son, then I think it would make a great movie for the Super Stars legacy. People all around the world make confessions on their death beds, this is a big one!

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    4. Thank you for the information. What a treasure it was to read & get a glimpse into Jason whittle’s upbringing. His mother was an amazing sounding woman, as a teen mom myself my hats off to Bonnie Kay sounds like she raised an amazing son and other children 3 before she was even 19 her like should be a movie. I was saddened to not see Jason Whittle not in Patrick’s documentary of his life even though he had no idea he was a father Jason was his bio dad & should be included. It’s not like he came after Lisa’s previous estate where she auditioned off EVERYTHING of Patrick’s including his worn clothes to the items he made, I feel the Swayze family had a right to their family members items.

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  4. This woman sure got around.

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  5. Never heard of them my self, are they meant to be famous or something, only thing I got from it was lots of kids with different fathers

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  6. We personally know Ron and lebetta whittle. I seriously doubt this story is fact. Seems Jason is seeking his 15 minutes of fame and money being they all live in run down homes. Truth probably is you never heard anything more because the DNA test proved no relation.

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    1. Probably seeking more meth and crack money based on how Ron is. Can't help but lmfao at this. It's so absurd. Probably trying to get money to build his meth lab on w hwy at his mom's place in Barnett.

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  7. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113744553/milvon-whittle look at the picture in this link. This is who Jason whittle looks like. Not Patrick! Nice try though.

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  8. On the photo, is Milvon playing the banjo or the guitar?

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  9. Really tired of everyone's negative comments. This is my family. And its rude that no one has anything nice to say. You guys don't know anything as to I don't know anything. And the factors that everyone is talking shit and saying untruthful rude things about my family as some are deceased is very very immature and not needed. My great grandpa Milvin would not appreciate any of this nonsense. And my family does not deserve all the rude and negative things everyone has to say. If you don't know anything then why comment. Why spread rumors and talk shit. My Cousin Jason (Uncle Jason) knows the truth he don't have to tell anyone anything cause its his life not yours. And what does it matter to anyone if he is Patrick's son. My Uncle Jason deserves this just as much as the next person. Hr is a great and wonderful man. And no one can change that by all this negativity. Its just pathetic how everyone thinks its their business when it's not. I love my Uncle Jason, my god father, the father I never had. He's an amazing man.

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    1. I am so sorry for everyone being so very rude. The world isnt always beautiful bc people can be so very ugly. It's his business and business alone. I'm glad he has turned out to be a good man. I'm watching one of his dads movies now and I think his dad would of been very proud of him. Take care and dont listen to negative Nancy's.

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  10. Cousin or uncle sound's like a bit of inbreeding going on. And who the hell is Melvin lol

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    1. Boy mother fucker, hes my cousin, but my dads best friend. My dad passed away when I was a child, and I grew up calling my cousin Jason, my uncle. Imbred my ass. Lmao all you guys know what to do is talk shit in a little bitty old town 😂. Melvin is my great grandpa. Lmao who's Melvin, obviously your dumber then a sack of rocks. Pointless to try to explain shit to anyone when it's NOBODYS business. AT ALL BESIDES THE FAMILIES. Jason is legally my cousin but I've always called him uncle, and he is my God father.

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    2. Are you just stupid or fall on your head to much as a child. I have lots of little cousins that call me Aunt Dina. When you grow up in a close family with two sisters always living side by side and they both have daughters (or sons) the same age grow up as close to any siblings, they grow up and have children, 9 times out of ten they will not call you second cousin, they will call you Aunt (or Uncle) This is very common in big Southern Families, no inbreeding just children calling their family members as they see them.

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    3. My little cousins call me auntie because I dont have any brothers or sisters I also godmother to them to its not imbreed

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  11. To me the whole thing is sad that Patrick did not know he had a son and didn't have a relationship with him.

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    1. I agree. He desperately wanted a child. This is the part that saddens me. I am not sure how Lisa would have liked it due to them being together before he met but I think the son and father should have had a chance to know one another. I am sure his Mother had her reasons for not mentioning it sooner, reasons she took with her, maybe she did tell her son why? That would be up to him tell if he wants to share.

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  12. I've been related to these people by marriage for 35+. This entire article is hilarious to anyone who actually knows the family. In all the yrs I've been in the famil, Patrick Swayze was never mentioned as potentially Jason's bio-father & I'd never believe it as factual. Whom ever wrote this article clearly did not check facts. These people lived on the outer edges of societal normalicy. They absolutely would have wanted any possible money from someone as famous as Mr. Swayze if it were at all possible!
    Drug addiction, alcoholism & generational poverty are the legacy these people come from,not selfless devotion to raising this "love child" on her own, as to not disrupt Mr. Swayze's own life. DNA has been a widely used science for many, many years, long before Bonnie &/or Mr. Swayze's untimely deaths.

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    1. Is the DNA results rumors? The boy played in the NFL, that is not something to shake a stick at. You can make good money in sports. So many NFL players marry into money as well. Also, there is drug addiction in almost every family across America, rich, poor, famous, unknown, old, and young. If you have drug addicts in your family this does not make the whole family bad. I was my brothers keeper that did not make me my brothers follower. It is bad enough this family is getting bashed by strangers by something that could or could not be rumored or true but you are a part of it. You should be defending it. If the DNA has not been proven it could be very easily. All you have to do is write another Mr. Swazi to take a DNA test and match it. Today it is so easy, 23 and me, Ansestry.com. It will prove he is at least related and prove the rumors to be true.

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  13. I think is is funny how this page became a whole discussion about the Whittle family though when it is titled DIRTY DANCING ANALYSIS
    THIS BLOG DISCUSSES THE MOVIE DIRTY DANCING, WHICH WAS RELEASED IN 1987 AND STARRED JENNIFER GREY AND PATRICK SWAYZE. THE ARTICLES DISCUSS:
    * LITERARY ASPECTS, SUCH AS CHARACTERIZATION, MOTIVATION, INTERACTIONS;
    * THE MUSIC AND DANCES;
    * THE PRODUCTION OF THE MOVIE;
    * CRITICAL REACTIONS.
    I loved Dirty Dancing like the rest of the world but my all time favorite Movie of Mr. Swazi was Road House and the second was Next of Kin. I liked Ghost and Dirty Dancing about the same. He was my favorite along with Liam Nissan, Hugh Jackman, Mel Gibson, and Nickolas Cage. All around actors that can play any roll. Patrick had something extra through because he could dance. I think every woman in the world will agree, a man who can dance is up there with a tough guy who cleans, cooks, and changes diapers. Totally sexy!

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  14. Bonnie Kay should have told Patrick she had their son. She could have saved Patrick from a life of hell he went through with the hag he eventually married.

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    1. Unfassbar so gehässig über eine (diese) Liebe zu urteilen

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    2. Excuse you. They were happily married for 34 years before he died. Also, Patrick was 4 years older than her. So who are you calling a hag?

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  15. I honestly do not understand why she didn't tell Patrick about his son. She could have saved him from marrying the cheating two timing HAG he was married to for 34 years.

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