Dow Leonard Whitaker, of Sullivan, MO, departed this life in Sullivan, having reached the age of eighty-seven years, five months and twenty-five days.
Leonard was born in Nemaha, NE, son of Dow Oswald Whitaker and Bertha Whitaker nee McCullough.
On June 10, 1950, he was united in marriage to Helen Charlene Dennis and four children came to bless this union.
Leonard is survived by his wife, Helen Whitaker of Sullivan, MO; by three children, Linda Stailey and husband, Jack, of Denver, CO, Dawn Plant and husband, David, of Sullivan and Scott Whitaker of Seattle, WA; by one brother, Dwaine Whitaker of Salem, MO; by three sisters, Viola Jenkins of Bend, OR, Virginia Burton of Douglas, CA and Verna Garvey of Oak Grove, MO; by twelve grandchildren, Jessica Farris and husband, Jared, Wendy McHendry and husband, Clint, Gina Gargus and husband, Shaun, Andrea Hoskins and husband, Kevin, Stacy Schwager and husband, Daniel, Alison Sulley and husband, Brian, Karri Wilson, Greg Wilson, Jon Pratt, Matthew Stailey, Amanda Darnaby and husband, Michael, and Jenna Ross and husband, Thomas; by seven great-grandchildren, Kelsey and Austin Farris, Isaac and Tessa Gargus, Tiana Pratt and Hunter and Cooper Ross; by brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Dow O. and Bertha Whitaker; by his daughter, Sharon Wilson; by his son-in-law, Robert Wilson and by five brothers and three sisters.
Leonard was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on July 16, 1964. He most recently attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Sullivan, MO, where he was very active in the congregation and in the ministry for many years. During his working years, he was employed as a cement finisher. Leonard was an active, outgoing man with many hobbies and interests. He enjoyed sports, especially football. Gardening and working in his yard were favorite hobbies. He was a hard worker and always kept busy but he was never too busy to have time to lend a helping hand to others. He had a keen sense of humor and liked to tell jokes and stories, making others laugh. Leonard was truly a family man and he was happiest when he was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Sullivan, MO.
The Whitaker family was served by Russell Colonial Funeral Home, St. Clair, MO.