Gary Lee Whiteaker, age 69, of Edina, MO passed away Saturday, April 14, 2012, in the Knox County Nursing Home at Edina, MO.
He was born on March 10, 1943, at Weldon, Iowa, the son of Pauline Amelia Whiteaker. As a young child Gary and his mother moved to Knox City, MO to live with his grandparents and his aunt Hazel Whiteaker. When he was two years old his mother died and he was raised by his aunt Hazel Whiteaker who raised him as her own.
Gary attended school at Knox City and then finished his education and received his diploma in the U.S. Air Force. His interest was always in journalism, but in the Air Force he was given a job as a medic. While stationed in Fairbanks Alaska he worked at a radio station. After his discharge from the military and returning home, he went to work at WGEM in Quincy, IL, where he was a reporter and broadcaster from the news desk. At that time he also worked some hours at the radio station. He then worked all over the United States for other media companies in Florida, New Orleans, LA, Kansas City, MO, Iowa, California, Maryland, Kentucky, and Illinois. While working at a radio station in Danville, Illinois he met Charlene Scharf. They married in 1975, in Belleville, Illinois. To this union two sons were born, Matthew William and Michael Lee Whiteaker.
Gary owned and managed his own business in Belleville which was involved in film production, public relations and journalism. In 1997, Gary moved to Edina to live with his Aunt Hazel. Since 2001, he has resided in the Knox County Nursing Home.
Gary is survived by his aunt who raised him, Hazel Whiteaker of Edina, MO, two sons, Matthew William Whiteaker of Florida and Michael Lee Whiteaker and wife Jennifer of Belleville, IL, two grandchildren, Sophia Hope Whiteaker and Jack William Whiteaker and several cousins.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2012, in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO. Pastor Rick Barnes will officiate the services. Burial will be in the Bee Ridge Cemetery. Music will be provided by Audrey Hamlin, Leann Hamlin and Debbie Peters, vocalist and Ed Anderson organist. Musical selections will be "What A Day That Will Be", Blessed Assurance", and "Mansion Over The Hill Top".
Casket bearers will be Kenny McKenzie, Bobby Pape, Steve Whiteaker, Arthur Lee Whiteaker, Larry Davis, Hillis Prather, Jim Eberle and Larry Walker.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 17, 2012, after 4 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO.
Memorials may be made to the Edina Assembly of God Church or the Knox County Nursing Home. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO 63537.