Thomas Whitaker Jr

Thomas P. Whitaker Jr., age 71, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away Saturday afternoon, August 2, 2014 at The Ohio State University Hospital-East in Columbus, Ohio following a courageous battle against pulmonary fibrosis.

He was born in Bardstown, Kentucky August 24, 1942, to the late Thomas P. and Mary Ellen (Smith) Whitaker Sr. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Beverly Lawton.

Tom married the former Janice Payne November 27, 1964 in Charlestown, Indiana, and she survives in Bellefontaine. He is also survived by sons Darren (Johni) Whitaker of Bellefontaine and Brian Whitaker of Fairborn, Ohio; five grandchildren, Kyle (Skyler) Whitaker of Bellefontaine, Meagan (Zach) Woodruff of Xenia, Ohio, Katy, Jenna and Kylie Whitaker, all of Fairborn; a great-granddaughter, Alexis Whitaker; two brothers, Bill (Roxanna) Whitaker of Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Jim (Kay) Whitaker of New Albany, Indiana; four sisters, Ann (Harold) Wilbourn of Louisville, Kentucky, Jan Powell of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Sally (George) Doss of Charlestown, Indiana and Bonnie (Leonard) DeYoung of Rensselaer, Indiana, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A United States Army Veteran, Tom was the owner/operator of the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Bellefontaine for twenty eight years. He was an avid golfer and was fortunate to have carded a hole-in-one six different times. He was a past club champion (1992) at the Bellefontaine Country Club. Tom and his wife Janice enjoyed traveling and spending winters at their Florida home in North Ft. Myers.

Pastor Gene Phelps will officiate the funeral service Wednesday, August 6, 2014, at 11 A.M. at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine where calling hours will be held Tuesday, August 5, 2014, from 5 to 8 P.M. and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Interment will be at the Bellefontaine Cemetery in Bellefontaine.

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