Beach Junior Whitaker, 87, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 7:30 pm, Thursday, February 2, 2017 at Parkview Wabash Hospital. He was born September 9, 1929 in Wabash County, to Beach and Ethel Iris (Keller) Whitaker.
Beach was a 1947 graduate of Linlawn High School and was a US Army veteran. He married Martha A. Harvey in Richvalley, Indiana on March 6, 1951. He worked for GenCorp in Wabash 39 years retiring in 1991. Beach was a member of Bachelor Creek Church of Christ and was a longtime Sunday School teacher. He was a member of the Hanna Masonic Lodge. Beach was also a longtime cub scout volunteer and little league umpire. He enjoyed going to McDonald’s visiting friends and spending time with his grandkids and great grandkids. He was a Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears, IU Basketball, and Notre Dame Football fan.
He is survived by his wife, Martha A. Whitaker of Wabash; five children, Terry (Maggie) Whitaker of Dayton, Ohio, Dave (Bunny) Whitaker and Ginny (Max) Gaston, both of Wabash, Mike (Ande) Whitaker of McCormick, South Carolina, and Kara (Rick) Shively of Wabash; daughter-in-law, Brenda Whitaker of Warren, Indiana; 17 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter; brother, Ralph (Linda) Whitaker of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and two sisters, Linda Arrick of Wabash, and Carol Sloan of Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Scott Whitaker, and his sister, Lily Rockenbaugh.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with David Stokes officiating. Burial will be in Roann Community Cemetery. Friends may call 4-7 pm Tuesday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is Parkview Wabash Hospital Foundation.
The memorial guest book for Beach may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.