Ralph W. Whitaker

RALPH W. WHITAKER, 86, of Fort Wayne, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, 8:40 p.m., at Seasons Hospice, in Hollywood, Fla., surrounded by his loving family. Born Aug. 10, 1932, in Blackwell, Wis., he was a son of the late Beach and Ethel (Keller) Whitaker. Ralph was a 1950 graduate of Linlawn High School, Wabash. He was also a veteran of the United States Air Force. He attended Manchester College before moving to Chicago, where he received technical training for drafting and tool and die making. When returning to Wabash, Ralph worked at Diehl Machine for several years before moving to Anaheim, Calif., where he started White Metal Co.; he then returned to Indiana for the remainder of his life, working at Model Machine & Tool in Wabash, Shuttleworth, in Huntington, and then Power Plant Services, in Fort Wayne, where he retired in 2006 after 24 years of service. He dearly loved his family and the special times he was able to spend with them as well as many wonderful years of sibling getaways. He enjoyed playing cards with friends and family. His quick wit and infectious laughter will be missed by many. He loved his little dog friends, Butters, Clyde and especially Calli. Ralph was married to Janette (Cook) Anderson, in 1956; he then married Linda Pranger of Fort Wayne on Oct. 17, 1987. He is survived by his wife, Linda of Fort Wayne; son, Michael Whitaker of Lake Forest, Calif.; daughter, Cheryl (Robert) Samons of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; stepson, Sean (Angie) Pranger of Fort Wayne; stepdaughter, Holly (Tony Belli) Pranger of San Francisco, Calif.; sisters, Linda Arrick of Wabash and Carol Sloan of LaFayette, Tenn.; five grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and dear friend, Carol McElfresh of Fort Wayne. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Lily Rae Rockenbaugh; and brother, Beach Whitaker Jr. Memorial service is 2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, at Advantage Funeral & Cremation Service, 2403 East Wallen Road, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior to service. Inurnment in Highland Park Cemetery, Fort Wayne. Memorial donations may be given to Fisher House Foundation, which provides housing for families of hospitalized veterans. Online donations may be sent at [email protected]. Condolences may be sent at www.advantagefunerals.com