Cecil E. Whitfield "Gene", 85, was born in Gastonia, NC on July 4, 1932 and passed away at his home on August 21, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.Gene served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1955 and graduated from East Carolina University in 1960. He worked as an accountant for the DuPont Company for 30 years, retiring in 1989. Gene was predeceased by his mother, Anna Mae Southerland and his father, Lonnie Whitfield.Gene is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth; his sister, Betty McDonald; his daughters, Deborah Beideman, Joann Gundlach (Will) and Patricia Pietschmann (Ray); his sons, Thomas and Christopher (Lynn); his 13 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday morning at 11 AM at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE 19808 where friends may call after 9:30 AM. Burial with military honors will follow at All Saints Cemetery, Wilmington. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent St. John the Beloved Church at the above address.