Bert Milton Whitaker

Bert Milton Whitaker, 77, of Waterloo, died Sunday, July 8, 2018, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.

He was born Aug. 1, 1940, in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, to the late Henry and Ival (Akers) Whitaker. He was a 1958 graduate of Prestonsburg High School in Prestonsburg, Kentucky.

Bert married Rodena Mauldin on Dec. 29, 1961, in Fort Worth, Texas, and she died in 2009.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, retiring with the rank of chief master sergeant after 23 years of service.

He was a member of the Francis E. Vinyard V.F.W. Post 2749 of Kendallville. He was an electronics expert, antique radio enthusiast, loved researching genealogy, and enjoyed fishing and gardening.

Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Tom Fakes of Kirkland, Washington; son-in-law, Chris Jarvis of Duvall, Washington; two grandchildren, Zakery Jarvis and Lexi Jarvis of Duvall, Washington; longtime companion, Dorothy Murray of Waterloo; three siblings, Claudia Barton of Pierceton, Michael Whitaker of Warsaw, and Arlene (Jim) Barton of Dowagiac, Michigan; and a brother-in-law, Jim Hollen of Warsaw.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; daughter, Karen Jarvis; and two sisters, Linda Adams and Garnett Whitaker.

Military honors will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 875 S. Wayne St., Waterloo, by the United States Air Force and Francis E. Vinyard V.F.W. Post 2749 of Kendallville.

Calling will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.