Dr. Thomas Michael "Mike" Whitworth, 74, of rural Delphi, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday-March 5, 2026, at 4:35pm, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Mike was born on January 3, 1952, in Mobile, AL, to the late Thomas & Marjorie Wold Whitworth. He was first married to Liz Whitworth of Rolla, MO, and she preceded him in death. He then married Diana S. Cable at her sister's home near Rossville, on June 6, 2009, and she survives. He graduated from Murphy High School in 1970, in Mobile, AL. He received his BS degree in 1974 from Mississippi State University, and his Master's degree in 1988 from University of Southern Mississippi. He received his Doctor of Philosophy in Petroleum Geology in 1993, from Purdue University, West Lafayette. He worked in the oil fields of Mississippi for many years, giving nearly every dollar to help his ailing parents. He then taught at the University of Missouri at Rolla for 26 years. Mike was a published author, writing many fiction-based books. He enjoyed music and liked to play his saxophone, and listening to one of his favorite jazz musicians Boots Randolph. He loved studying archaeology and geology, woodworking, gardening, all animals, especially his beloved dog Geo. He dearly loved his family and enjoyed the gatherings they would have. Surviving: wife-Diana S. Cable Whitworth of Delphi, brother-Breck & Kay Whitworth of Golf Port, MS, sister-in-law Linda Lou & Ronald Koble of Rossville, nieces & nephews. Preceded in death by a brother & sister-in-law-Norman & Floretta Cable.

Services: Visitation will be Saturday-March 14, 2026, from 11am until his funeral service at 1pm at Abbott Funeral Home, Inc., Delphi, Richard Cottrell officiating. Burial will be at Musselman Cemetery near Camden. To view his obit or send an online condolence to the family, visit: www.abbottfuneralhome.com