Richard Whitaker

Richard L. “Sonny” Whitaker, age 75, of DeGraff, Ohio, went to be with our Lord Wednesday morning, October 15, 2014 at Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine, Ohio after a courageous battle.

He was born in McGuffey, Ohio June 22, 1939, to the late Beacher and Minnie (Dorn) Whitaker. He was also preceded in death by a brother Joseph Whitaker, and sisters Elizabeth Paige, Eulla Kindle and Edith Gibson.

On August 5, 1956, he married the love of his life Carolyn JoAnn Robbins and she survives. He is also survived by his children, Marjorie Hursh (Cameron Dyer), Jennifer (Glen) Kreglow, Richard “Keith” (Tonya) Whitaker, of all of DeGraff, Gregory “Brian” Whitaker and Corey (Erin Workman) Whitaker, both of Bellefontaine; twelve grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Beacher Whitaker Jr. of Noonan, Georgia and Earl Whitaker of Celina, Ohio; three sisters, Marie Coburn of Indiana, Sandra Kay (Jack) Seals of Celina and Phyllis Joseph of Celina, and many nieces and nephews.

Sonny was an avid lover of antique cars, collecting and tinkering on them. His greatest pastime was spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Sonny retired after forty three years as a supervisor from the Quincy Foundry and later as owner-operator of Dick’s Shell in DeGraff for almost twenty years.

He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Pastor Kym James will officiate a celebration of Sonny’s life at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, October 18, 2014, at the DeGraff United Methodist Church DeGraff. Calling hours will be held at the church Saturday two hours prior to the celebration of life service.

Interment will be at the Greenwood-Union Cemetery in DeGraff.

The staff of the Daring and Sanford Funeral Home in DeGraff assisted the family with the arrangements.

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