Dale Hamilton Whittaker

Dale Hamilton Whittaker, 72, of Pearisburg, the White Gate community in Giles County, died Sunday, June 21, 2009, at the family home. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 24, at 11 a.m. at A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. Danny Shortridge officiating. Interment will be in the Stinson Cemetery at White Gate. He was born Oct. 31, 1936, in the family home at White Gate, son of the late John Marvin and Nellie Hamilton Whittaker. He was a member of Mount Zion United Methodist Church. He was loving husband, father and grandfather and a dedicated Christian man who never met a stranger. He served in the U.S. Air Force, was employed by Western Union, Burlington Industries and retired from the Bland Correctional Center where he was a licensed water treatment plant operator. He was the fourth generation of his family to continue the family farm operation along the banks of Big Walker Creek. He was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Allen "Cap" Whittaker, also of White Gate. Survivors include his wife of over 48 years, Virginia Carol Whittaker; a daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda Dale and Mark Gusler of White Gate; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffrey Marvin and Regina Whittaker of Goodview, Craig Hamilton and Clara Whittaker of White Gate; a sister, Josephine "Sis" Waller of Richfield, N.C.; 11 grandchildren, Andrew Gusler, Molly Gusler, Todd Whittaker, Maegan Whittaker, Chana Whittaker, Rachel Whittaker, Grace Whittaker, John Whittaker, Susanne Whittaker, Amelia Whittaker and Luke Whittaker; several nieces, nephews and cousins; his church family at Mount Zion United Methodist Church; and his big black Lab, Bear. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 236 White Pine Rd., Pearisburg, VA 24134. A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home in White Gate is in charge of the arrangements.