David Clyde Whitaker
June 1st, 1933 - December 26th, 2024
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David's Obituary
David Clyde Whitaker, 91, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2024, surrounded by family.
David was born on June 1, 1933, in South Bend, Indiana, to Clyde and Genevieve Whitaker. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, whose strength, kindness, and unwavering faith touched the lives of everyone who knew him. David married the love of his life, Joan (Rhoads), on September 28, 1957, and together they built a family and a life filled with love, hard work, and cherished memories. David started his career by building a siding, roofing and window company. From there he became a dedicated landlord. David and Joan worked side-by-side managing several rental properties, creating a business they could be proud of. But beyond his work, David's greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his beloved children and grandchildren. David had a passion for boating, camping and traveling across the United States, often taking family trips that became lasting memories. He was a man of honor, and despite the many hardships he faced throughout his life—including the heartbreaking loss of his two children—he remained a pillar of strength and kindness. His faith and perseverance inspired all who knew him.
David is survived by his devoted wife, Joan; daughter Deborah (Mike) Mayle; granddaughters Monica (Josh) Perkins, Ashley (Charlie) Haight, and Brooke (Stephen) Peters; six great-grandchildren, Grayson, Emmett, River, Archie, Sawyer, and Noah; and siblings Carrol Wong, Gary Whitaker and Regina Whitaker. He was preceded in death by his two sons, Michael David (Mikey) and Anthony Joseph (Tony).
A Celebration of David’s Life will be held at 3:00 P.M., Monday, December 30, 2024 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M., Monday at the funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Corewell Health hospice in David's memory. David’s legacy of love, faith, and family will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him. He will be deeply missed. Those wishing to share a memory of David online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
David was born on June 1, 1933, in South Bend, Indiana, to Clyde and Genevieve Whitaker. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, whose strength, kindness, and unwavering faith touched the lives of everyone who knew him. David married the love of his life, Joan (Rhoads), on September 28, 1957, and together they built a family and a life filled with love, hard work, and cherished memories. David started his career by building a siding, roofing and window company. From there he became a dedicated landlord. David and Joan worked side-by-side managing several rental properties, creating a business they could be proud of. But beyond his work, David's greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his beloved children and grandchildren. David had a passion for boating, camping and traveling across the United States, often taking family trips that became lasting memories. He was a man of honor, and despite the many hardships he faced throughout his life—including the heartbreaking loss of his two children—he remained a pillar of strength and kindness. His faith and perseverance inspired all who knew him.
David is survived by his devoted wife, Joan; daughter Deborah (Mike) Mayle; granddaughters Monica (Josh) Perkins, Ashley (Charlie) Haight, and Brooke (Stephen) Peters; six great-grandchildren, Grayson, Emmett, River, Archie, Sawyer, and Noah; and siblings Carrol Wong, Gary Whitaker and Regina Whitaker. He was preceded in death by his two sons, Michael David (Mikey) and Anthony Joseph (Tony).
A Celebration of David’s Life will be held at 3:00 P.M., Monday, December 30, 2024 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M., Monday at the funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Corewell Health hospice in David's memory. David’s legacy of love, faith, and family will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him. He will be deeply missed. Those wishing to share a memory of David online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
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