James Whitaker

PERU — James H. Whitaker, 88, formally of Granville and Mark, died Saturday, June 27, 2015, at Manor Court in Peru.

Jim was born Jan. 19, 1927, in Rockford to H. Ray and Theo (Harris) Whitaker. He married Catherine Williams on Oct. 28, 1950, in Genoa City, Wis.

Jim graduated from LaSalle-Peru High School, Class of 1945. He served in the U.S. Army at the end of World War II in occupied Japan. Jim was a shift supervisor at B.F. Goodrich in the Henry Plant.

He was a member of Granville Masonic Lodge 1099 AF & AM, Granville American Legion Post 180, the Woodcrafters Unlimited and National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors.

Survivors are his wife, Catherine of Peru; one son Mark (Pam) Whitaker of Granville; one daughter, Becky (Roger) Perkins of Princeton; one sister, Mary (Robert) Deutsch of California; and one granddaughter, Kristin Whitaker of Washington, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Helen Ossola and Lucille Easton.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, at the UCC Church in Granville with the Rev. Dr. Ron McNeill officiating. Burial will be in the Granville Cemetery, Granville.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, at the Dysart-Cofoid Funeral Chapel in Granville with a Masonic service at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to St. Margaret's Hospital Foundation or the donor's choice.

Pallbearers will be Gary Biolchini, Ed Ferrari, Gary Neubaum, Jack Ossola, Kevin Platt and Art Volbrecht. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Darling and Chuck Zellmer.

Online condolences may be made to his family at www.dcfunerals.com.