James Melvin Whisman, age 65, of Island Fork Road, Morehead, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2012, at St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead. Born June 21, 1946, in Rowan County, Kentucky, he was a son of the late Ernest and Shrilda Burton Whisman. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Howard Whisman; three sisters, Mary Ham, Helen Whisman and Leona Carol Whisman; one half sister, Pearl Davis; grandparents, James and Elizabeth Ham Whisman and Melvin and Margaret Parish Burton; and two brothers-in-law, John R. Ham and Robert Sweeney. James is survived by his wife, Annabelle Radley Whisman; two daughters, Anita Banta and husband Gayle of Bedford, Kentucky, and Tamara Whisman of Georgetown, Kentucky; one son, James Ernest Whisman of Eddyville, Kentucky; two grandchildren, Crystal Thacker and Joseph Newton; and two step grandchildren, Timothy and Benjamin Banta. He is also survived by three sisters, Ina Mae Stacy and Bonnie Mason of Morehead, Kentucky, and Juanita Sweeney of Georgetown, Kentucky; four brothers, Woodrow Whisman of Salt Lick, Kentucky, and Glenn, David, and Jackie Whisman, all of Morehead, Kentucky; nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Larry Stacy; and other relatives and friends. James was a sawmill worker and enjoyed gardening and digging ginseng. Funeral services will be conducted 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with Rev. Cecil Ison officiating. Burial will follow in the Whisman Cemetery. Pallbearers: Larry Stacy, Eddie Stacy, Gayle Banta, Jr., Benjamin Banta, Rocky Mason, and David Whisman. Honorary pallbearers: Shawn Stacy, Joseph Newton, Wendell Stacy, and Bobby Stacy. Visitation is after 6 p.m. Monday, April 9, 2012, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead. Visitation: Monday, April 9, 2012, after 6 p.m. Funeral: Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at 3 p.m. Interment: Whisman Cemetery, Island Fork Road