HARRY M. WHITAKER

OBITUARY FOR HARRY M. WHITAKER WHITAKER, Harry M., age 94, of Middletown, Ohio, passed away Friday, June 27, 2014 at his residence. He was born October 23, 1919 in Letcher County, Kentucky to Mason and Rhoda (Hall) Whitaker. After graduating from Viper High School, his first job was in a Band Mill. He then worked in the shipyard at Newport News, Virginia. He was drafted into the Army/Air Force at age 23. He spent three years in the military, during W.W. II, in the European Theater including England and France. In 1945, after his time in the military, he met and married his wife, Elizabeth Celia (Campbell) Whitaker. He worked as a lineman at the West Virginia Power Co., then at Aeronca, and Day and Zimmerman Construction Company of Middletown. He worked briefly in power line construction for the missile bases protecting the Cincinnati area, including Wilmington, Oxford and Dillsboro, Indiana. In 1958 he went to Armco Steel Company in Middletown, as an apprentice welder. He became a state certified welder and retired from Armco in 1982, after 23 years of service. He was an outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and vegetable and flower gardening. He loved spending time with his family. He was a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church of Middletown. The family extends their special thanks and appreciation to Hospice of Cincinnati, including Brittany and Kay, for their professional and loving care during his illness. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife of 62 years, Elizabeth C., in 2008; four brothers, Mack, Elbert, R.B., and Kerl; and five sisters, Dana , Martha, Hester, Jessie and Thelma. He is survived by three daughters, Myra (Robert) Reboulet, Gail (Ken) Morris and Julia (Joe) Sears; five grandchildren, Lance (Lori) Barker, Chuck (Carrie) Barker, Stephanie (Tony) Caudill, Emily Sears, and Allison Sears (fiancé Robert Collins); six great grandchildren, Dalton, Chase, Brick, Brynn, Madelyn and Isaac; one sister, Ida Bowling; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 1, 2014 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Herr-Riggs Funeral Home, 210 S. Main St., Middletown, followed by services at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Edward L. England officiating. Interment will be at Fairmound Cemetery, in West Elkton, Ohio with military services by Middletown Combined Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to the Messiah Lutheran Church, 4715 Holly Ave., Middletown, Ohio 45044. Arrangements by Herr-Riggs Funeral Home, 210 S. Main St., Middletown. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.herr-riggs.com

HARRY M. WHITAKER

October 23, 1919 - June 27, 2014