
Joseph F. Whitaker III (Joe), age 78, of Enola, passed peacefully on to Heaven, on Thursday, January 10, 2019, and ended his battle with pancreatic cancer. Joseph was born on January 12, 1940, in Shamokin, PA to the late Joseph F. Whitaker, Jr. and Sarah Mary Whitaker.
Joseph’s survivors include his wife of almost 55 years, Sandra (Rumberger) Whitaker; his three children; Kelly McCarty and her husband, Michael, of Enola, Mark Whitaker and his wife, Daphne, of Middletown, and Karen Garlinger and her husband, Dean, of Camp Hill; his nine grandchildren: Karli Hatten(Todd), Jeremy Whitaker(Kristen), Kody Ness(Kayla), Kory Ness(Heather), Kelsi Weigle(Jeromy), Lindsay Whitaker, Ashley Whitaker, Tanner Garlinger, and Gavin Garlinger; nine great-grandchildren: Dustin, Ethan, Kameryn, Theodore, Justin, Jackson, Palmer, Geno, and Kensington; and his two sisters, MaryAnn Bianchini and Sally Rocuskie(James); and seven nieces and nephews.
Joseph graduated from St. Edwards High School as part of the Class of 1957, and served in the United States Army from 1959 to 1964. He married the love of his life, Sandi, on April 11, 1964. He retired from the US Postal Service after working as a letter carrier for 37 years. Joe belonged to the NALC Branch 500 Postal Union, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree (Shamokin), Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree (Our Lady of Lourdes), Enola Legion Post 751, Enola Sportsman’s Club (Lifetime Member), Independence Fire Company Shamokin (Lifetime Member), and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Joe lived a life of unwavering Catholic Faith.
Joe was a loving husband, and dedicated father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Over the years, he enjoyed boating and camping at Raystown Lake, watching the Philadelphia Eagles, dirt track racing, Nascar, and was a meticulous caretaker of his property and vehicles. He also loved to cook breakfast for his family, and make people laugh.
Joe’s family would like to thank Homeland Hospice for their support and loving care during Joe’s last months, especially Kristan, Kayla, and Robin.
All are welcome to join Joseph’s family for visitation at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 225 Salt Road, Enola, from 10:30 AM – Noon on Wednesday, January 16. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Noon. Joseph’s family has entrusted his care to Sullivan’s Funeral Home, Enola.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in celebration and memory of his life can be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 225 Salt Rd, Enola, PA 17025 or Homeland Hospice, 2300 Vartan Way #270, Harrisburg, PA 17110 (homelandathome.org).
The Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Whitaker family.
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I was very sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. I graduated with Joe from St. Edwards in 1957. I fondly remember Joe for his sense of humor. He enjoyed making people laugh. Please know that Joe and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy! John Tentromono