Donald Whitaker, 88
Published 3:24 pm Monday, November 30, 2020
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| Donald Whitaker of Eubank passed away on November 25, 2020, in Somerset, KY. He was 88 years old. He was born in Letcher County Kentucky on December 9, 1931. He was the son of the late Rufus and Crissie Whitaker of Eubank. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Somerset where he was very active in church functions. He continued working with the church until his health failed, causing him to be confined to a wheelchair and was unable to drive. He loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him. He attended the Bible College in Florida where he studied the Bible and Music so he could lead singing in church and also learned how to prepare and deliver a lesson. He was so thankful for his three brothers who helped care for him after he was hurt and also after numerous surgeries. He loved them very much as they took turns caring for him 24 hours a day. Don was a proud member of the United States Army and proud to serve his country. He was a Personnel Sergeant at Fort Knox until he served in the Korean War. There he served nearly 11 months as the Battalion Sergeant Major for the 194th Combat Engineers. After being discharged from the Army he went to work for Westinghouse. He decided to go to college, enrolled at the University of Cincinnati and attended classes at night. He attended UC for five years before transferring to Maryland and later back to Richmond, KY where he attended EKU to complete his college education and receive his degree in Business Administration. Don worked for Westinghouse 33 years at 7 various locations. His last assignment was the site manager in Spartanburg, SC. Don worked there for 8 years and retired at 59 years old. After retirement, Don and his wife Charlcie moved back to Kentucky to live. They lived in their new home for 5 years before moving to Florida where they lived for 17 years. While in Florida, they traveled a lot and took almost two dozen cruises, as Charlcie enjoyed sailing on cruises. Charlcie passed away in January of 2013 and Don moved to their home in Eubank. It was there he had an unfortunate fall that confined him to a wheelchair. Don also had kidney failure in 2014, took dialysis and moved to an assisted living facility in Somerset, where he lived until his death. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 62 years Charlcie Whitaker, son Brian Lee Whitaker of Jacksonville, Florida, brother Robert Whitaker of Nicklesville, 2 sisters, Dorsie Jean Whitaker of Eubank and Sarah Jane Whitaker May of Georgetown, KY. He is survived by a daughter Karen Sue Whitaker Marcinko (Steve) of Woodstock, GA and a son Wayne Whitaker of LaFayette, GA. Three brothers, Jim (Karen), Reed (Mary) and Dale (Joan – deceased 2020) Whitaker of Eubank, KY; seven grandchildren Lauren, Abby, Morgan, Shawn, Dawn, Anna and Ashley and seven great grandchildren. Also six nieces, five nephews and a large number of other family members along with cousins and friends. Private funeral services will be 11 AM on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at the chapel of Morris & Hislope Funeral Home with Bro. Steve Gates officiating. Burial in the Friendship Cemetery, Waynesburg, KY. Morris & Hislope Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Donald Whitaker. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.morrisandhislope.com | |||