Charles C. Whitaker, 95, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, died Friday, April 19, 2013, at Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa.
He was born Saturday, August 18, 1917, in the Monroe Township of Mahaska County, the son of Walter and Clara Corns Whitaker. He graduated from the Rose Hill High School. Following graduation, Charles was accepted at Central College in Pella. but chose to join the US Navy instead.
On January 6, 1940, Charles was united in marriage to Addis "Toni" Converse in Lancaster, Missouri, and she died on June 9, 1997.
After his Navy discharge, Charles went to work for the Oliver Farm Equipment Company and worked his way up to a corporate position. He later opened Whitaker Implement in Oskaloosa and owned and operated it for 38 years. Charles was a very active member of the Oskaloosa community and served on several boards and committees spanning several decades, including several terms on the city council. He was a deacon, elder, and board member at the First Christian Church, a member of the Lion's Club, and was a Nelson Pioneer Farm board member and financial contributor. Charles enjoyed going to farm shows, attending auctions with Marvin, going to coffee, reading, and was very active in the Republican Party. Charlie lived and died living his life always trying to leave things better than he found them.
His family includes a very special niece whom he and Toni raised, Lyn (& Bryan) Brummel-Wolford of Nixa, Missouri; a niece, Sheryl (& Steve) Shaw of Oskaloosa; a nephew, Steve (& Nancy) Whitaker of Des Moines, Iowa; 3 grandchildren, Cory (& Tiffany), Casey, and Jacob (& Andrea) Brummel; 7 great-grandchildren; a sister, Ilene White of Oskaloosa; a sister-in-law, Iris Dreibelbeis of Nevada, Iowa; and many other nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; a grandson, Joseph Brummel; 2 brothers, Harold W. and Marvin Whitaker; 3 sisters, Hazel McBurney, Gail Stewart, and Helen Lieurance; and 2 brothers-in-law, Melvin White and Rex Stewart.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at 10:00 A.M. at the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa, with Reverend Michael Omundson officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Graveside military rites will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W. Visitation will begin Monday after 12 noon in the Bates Funeral Chapel, with the family present at the funeral chapel from 5 to 7 P.M. to greet friends and relatives.
