Ramey Whitaker

Lima - Ramey Whitaker, 78, died at 4:58 p.m. Nov. 20, 2009, at St. Rita’s Medical Center.

He was born Jan. 18, 1931, in McGuffey, to Buel and Anna Wheeler Whitaker, who preceded him in death. On Sept. 26, 1959, he married Luetta A. Decker, who survives in Lima.

Mr. Whitaker worked at Superior Coach and as a welder and retired in 1993 from MidBus, where he was a metal finisher. He enjoyed hunting and working on cars. He served in Korea with the U.S. Army.

Survivors also include three sons, Michael Whitaker, Timothy (Kelly) Whitaker and Terry (Kathy) Whitaker, all of Lima; two daughters, Kathy (Randy) Sutherland of Lima and Melissa (Eric) Koller of Powell; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Edna Herring, Ella Campbell and Darlene Collins, all of Lima.

He was preceded in death by eight brothers, Martin, Beecher, Jessie, Roll, James, Dennis, Homer and Frank Whitaker; and five sisters, Reva Cornwell, Loretta Collins, Gertie Lawrence, Wannie Rhineger and Lena Bodine.

Services will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Chiles and Sons Funeral Homes, Lewis Chapel. The Rev. Randy Bargerstock will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, where military rites will be performed by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1275.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.