John Edward Whitaker Jr.

Mr. John Edward Whitaker, Jr., 79, of Thomasville, North Carolina, passed away on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at his home. He was born on June 13, 1946 in Morgan County, Indiana to John Edward Whitaker, Sr. and Geneva McClusky Whitaker, both of whom preceded him in death. He retired after 36 years as a quality engineer from General Motors. Three years of this time was spent in Bristol, England. He traveled all over Europe, the Middle East, and Asia for General Motors. After retirement, he was the President of Union Bible College in Westfield, Indiana for 13 years. He was a General Board Member of ICHA for over 31 years, Board Member of IHC for 25 years, and served as Sunday School Superintendent for 50 years at Salem Park Church, Calvary Bible Wesleyan Church, and Piedmont Bible Church. He enjoyed vacationing, eating out, and the Great Smoky Mountains. On October 24, 1964, he married Lova Genille McAninch Whitaker, who survives of the home; also surviving are his two sons, Rev. John A. Whitaker and wife Lori of Albany, NY and Rev. Barry D. Whitaker and wife Monica of Thomasville, NC; his brother, Howard Whitaker and wife Maria of Martinsville, IN; his twin sisters, Linda Reed and Brenda Enlow, both of Brooklyn, IN and baby sister, Murle Jean Tumey and husband Jim of Mooresville, IN; six grandchildren, John Wesley Whitaker and wife Teresa, Elizabeth Davis and husband Jerry, and Lanae Whitaker, all of Westfield, IN and Brent Whitaker and wife Katie of Sheridan, IN, Parker Whitaker of Thomasville, NC, and Jordan Whitaker and wife Jarilyn of Shoals, IN; and seven great-grandchildren, Aiden Davis, Jase Whitaker, Maddison Davis, Jaxson Whitaker, Grant Davis, Allison Whitaker, and Presley Whitaker. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM at Piedmont Bible Church in Thomasville, NC, with Rev. Barry D. Whitaker, Rev. John A. Whitaker, and Mr. Carl Heintzleman officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday prior to the service at the church from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Arrangements in Thomasville are being handled by J.C. Greene & Sons Funeral Home. A funeral service will also be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Union Bible College, William Smith Memorial Building, in Westfield, IN, with Dr. Adam Buckler, Rev. James Plank, Rev. Marcus Dodrill, Rev. Barry D. Whitaker, and Rev. John A. Whitaker officiating. Interment will follow in Summit Lawn Cemetery in Westfield, IN. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 15, 2025 at the William Smith Memorial Building at Union Bible College from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Local arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Sproles Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Piedmont Bible Church, 1117 W. Holly Hill Rd. Thomasville, NC 27360 also to Union Bible College P.O. Box 900 Westfield, IN 46074 or to, ICHA 4485 North Fortville Pike Greenville, IN 46140. You may send the family condolences at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of John Edward Whitaker.