Raymond L. "Ray" Whitaker

WHITAKER Raymond "Ray" L. Raymond "Ray" L. Whitaker, 88, of Toledo, passed away Saturday, February 16, 2008, at The Toledo Hospital. Ray was born September 28, 1919, at Whiteland, Indiana, to Alonzo and Esther Whitaker. He served in the Navy during WWII where his ship was involved in the amphibious landings at Guadalcanal, Sicily and Italy. In later years he wrote and published his memoirs of his War experience. After the War he attended the Gregg College School of Shorthand Reporting in Chicago. After graduation he was employed as a court reporter in Indiana and Toledo. After 10 years in Common Pleas Court, Toledo, he was hired by the Sixth District Court of Appeals where 23 years later he retired as Court administrator. Ray had many interests, including fishing Lake Erie, photography, camping and singing in his church choir as well as Barbershop quartet. Ray also at one time held a pilot's license. When he first came to Toledo, he flew in and landed his plane at Franklin Field which is now the present day Westfield Shopping Center. He was also a year round tennis player as well as one of the earliest joggers in Toledo, which he took up in his 50's. Ray was also active in his church, Aldersgate United Methodist for 57 years. Ray and his wife Evelyn, married 66 years, did extensive traveling before and after his retirement. Ray was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Whitaker; sister, Betty Richie and his parents. He is survived by his loving wife; daughter, Janice (James) Kirk; sons, Jeffrey (Sharon), Craig (Christine); sister, Jean (Quinton) Heintzelman; seven grandchildren and three great-grand-children. Family and friends are invited to visit from 2-8 p.m. Monday, in the Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 Sylvania Avenue. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, in Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 4030 Douglas Road. Reverend Marilynn Schroeder will officiate. Interment will be in Historic Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.ansberg-west.com