Birth date: Jun 4, 1948 Death date: Jan 4, 2016
Joseph Howard Whitaker, aged 67 of Custer died suddenly on Monday, January 4, 2016. Joe was born on June 4, 1948 in Ludington, the son of Harry and Meg (Wing) Whitaker. On October 27, 1965 he married his best friend Linda Forbes a Read Obituary
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Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services - Stephens Funeral Home
305 E. State St., Scottville MI 49454
Joe was a great man- great family man and pastor!!! He was also a terrific family friend. My heart goes out to linda and his family. You always be loved and missed pastor joe. We will see you again!!!!
Pastor Joe was a beautiful person. He had a way of making you feel important and loved. He was there for me at the ER the morning Nate died and his presence brought me such peace and comfort. The Holy spirit was his best friend and Joe shared God's love freely. This world is a much less bright place without him in it. I'm heavy of heart with this news, but happy that he and Nate are probably talking and singing praises together even as I type! i pray that God's mantel of peace be upon his family and help them cope with Joe's absence, even as it brings them joy in knowing Joe is right now laughing with Jesus in his reward for a life well lived.
Joey was a great friend when we were kids. We were all part of the Custer "gang" of boys. We played ball, built rafts and captured turtles from big pond, collected metal to sell to Mr. Fisher, watched tv on snowy mornings and went sliding until we were frozen.
Joey was just across the street and so we knew when anyone was out at his house as he did at ours. It was a wonderful time for a bunch of kids. My memories of Joey bring a smile. I know that he will be missed. His adult life was as positive as his childhood. No one is truly gone as long as he is remembered. Joe will live on in all our memories. Best wishes to Joe's family and friends.
Richard "Dick" Reader
Phoenix, AZ
I first met Joe at Hunan Gardens when my sister, Karen, used to work there. That day, we only exchanged greetings, but I noticed that he knew and treated my sister with kindness, which I greatly appreciated. The next time I saw Joe at Hunan Gardens, we talked for a couple of minutes as he and his wife, Linda, waited for their food. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to get to know how wonderful of a person Joe really was, but just from the couple of brief meetings we had, I could tell that he was friendly and sincere.
Happy memories live forever, and Joe filled many lives with plenty of them. Sometimes when I see two senior couples eating at a restaurant, I think of Joe and Linda, and that brings nothing but good memories. I'm sure Joe will be missed greatly by everyone who knew and loved him.
Our prayers are with you Linda and your family at this difficult time. We did not cross paths often but we still remember the times we did. May you find comfort in knowing you have one more Angel watching over you and yours. Karla Battice and Donna(Micko) Morris
It seems like we have known the extended Whittaker family as far back as we can remember, in one regard or another. Many of those connections were through Mason County Eastern. We witnessed Joe and Linda's faith in action, love of family, gentleness, generosity and commitment to the community time and time again. Joe had such pride and love for his children and grandchildren; you could just see it on his face whenever he was with them at a school event. He set such fine examples for the rest of us to live by. Whenever we ran into him he made us feel like he was truly happy to see us. To be honest, we did see him at MCE often, but the most likely place was at Hunan Gardens. We will give a special nod to 'their' booth every time we go there to eat.
Joe will be missed by many, but he left many wonderful memories behind for the rest of us.
Love, Jenny & Bruce Micinski
Linda and family,
You and your family are in our thoughts prayers. We always looked for you and Joe when we would go to Big Boy for breakfast, now he will be eating with Jesus. We will miss him, but know that we will see him again. May God's peace be with you to help get you through the days ahead.
Laura and Erwin Christmann
God puts the right people in our lives, at the right time. He gave me pastor Joe, his beautiful son Caleb and his entire family to touch my life and bring me back to a closer walk Him.
Your work here is done good and faithful servant. You ran the race and now have received your prize. My thoughts and prayers are with the family you have left behind. I know they will eventually find the peace and comfort that comes from the father in knowing you are now walking with him and playing music with the angel choir.
God bless,
Connie Helton
My deepest condolences to the entire family. Joe was such a kind man and always had a smile on his face. I know that your faith and strong family unit will help you in the difficult times. My thoughts are with you.
