Wilbur Whitaker

Wilbur Dean Whitaker, age 89 of Paola, Kansas passed away Friday, February 12, 2010 at North Point Nursing Home. He was born June 17, 1920 in Louisburg, Kansas to Riley Dean and Freida Kircher Whitaker. Wilbur grew up in the Louisburg area and graduated from Louisburg High School in 1936. He was inducted in to the Army Air Force in 1942, and served until being honorably discharged in 1945 as a Staff Sgt. On August 16, 1951 he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Carter in Miami, Oklahoma. To this union three children were born. Shirley preceded him in death on February 4, 1994. Wilbur was a dairy farmer until 1968, then was employed by the Kansas City Star as a paper hauler for 28 years. He had his own KC Star paper route in the Miami County area from 1968 " 1975. He was a member of the Pearl Street Baptist Church, VFW, and the American Legion. He is survived by his three children; sons, Dean Whitaker and wife Connie of Osawatomie, KS, and Joe Whitaker and wife Teresa of LaCygne, KS; daughter, Kay Yackle of Paola, KS; one sister, Dorothy Haney of Belton, MO; two brothers, Clarence Whitaker of Louisburg, KS, and Lester Whitaker of Foley, AL; 11 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. His wife and one sister, Helen Shea, preceded him in death. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to the Paola VFW, the Louisburg American Legion, or the Pearl Street Baptist Church in Paola, in care of the funeral home. Pearl Street Baptist Church, Paola, KS Service: Monday, February 15, 2010 11:00 AM Visitation: Sunday, February 14, 2010 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM