Charles Ellis Whitaker

Charles Ellis Whitaker, 60, of Goshen, died Wednesday morning, March 25, 2009, at Goshen General Hospital.  He had been ill the past six years. He was born on April 27, 1948 in Osceola, Arkansas, to John William and Hazel (Lacroy) Whitaker.  He married Denise Alfrey on February 18, 1975 in Goshen.  She survives. A longtime area resident, Mr. Whitaker retired as a supervisor from Road Master where he did welding.  He served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967 to 1969. He is survived by his wife, Denise; five children, Charles (Lisa) Timmins and Sandra (Howie) Howe, both of Maysville, Kentucky, Shannon (Misty) Whitaker of Goshen, Michael (Shelly) Whitaker of Warsaw, and Brian (Martha) Whitaker of Elkhart; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Deloyd Puckett and John Larry Whitaker. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 26, at the funeral home. A 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 27, 2009, funeral service will be held at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.  Goshen Hospital Chaplain Shawn Gerber will officiate. Burial will be in Oakridge Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the family, c/o Denise Whitaker.