Elaine E. Whitaker

Elaine E. Whitaker, age 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 10, 2016 at Riverside Methodist Hospital. She was born February 7, 1922 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Carl H. and Edna (Neiderhelman) Rufener. Elaine's two favorite things in the world were her loving family and her dedication to the The Ohio State Buckeyes. Elaine was a devout member for over 50 years of Maize Manor United Methodist Church. She was a loving person who supported many charities over the years including, Helping Hands, the Capital Area Humane Society, the American Lung Association, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House along with sponsoring many children in the World Hunger Organization. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by loving husband, Auston H. Whitaker and brother, Kenneth Rufener. Elaine will be dearly missed by her children, Ron (Linda) Whitaker of Wilbraham, Massachusetts and Marilyn (Richard) Biggs of Columbus; loving grandchildren, Christopher Whitaker, Jennifer Whitaker, and their mother, Sandra Yarkey. Also surviving are her loving grandchildren, Alan (Patti) Bailey, Keith Bailey and Daniel (Jamie) Duncan; great-grandchildren, Aiden Whitaker, Colin and Emma Bailey, Chase and Austin Duncan; sister-in-law, Doris Rufener and beloved dogs, Lucy and Buddy. Elaine had a wonderful sense of humor and will be sadly missed by all her family and many friends. Family will receive friends Thursday, July 14, 2016 from 12-1 p.m. at SCHOEDINGER NORTH CHAPEL, where a funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. Pastor Floyd Hubbell officiating. Interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens after the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, Elaine requested memorial contributions be made to the Ronald McDonald House or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.