WHITTAKER, Harold Forest III - b. September 18, 1981 - d. March 31, 2011

[Janet Harrington]

Have been told via Facebook and other sources that Harold Whittaker was killed in a vehicle accident around Bartlesville, OK, this morning. No other details. Harold graduated from West Elk in 2001, I think. He grew up in Severy, Kansas, the son of Gary Whittaker.

[flo]

I have posted this and an update in the coffee shop.  That accident has claimed another life.

[emptynest]

Harold was a graduate of the West Elk Class 2000.

[patyrn]

Harold Forest "Duckman" Whittaker III, age 29, a resident of Severy, Kansas, died Thursday, March 31, 2011 as a result of an automobile accident near Pawhuska, Oklahoma.  He was born on September 18, 1981 in Eureka, Kansas, the son of Gary Lee Whittaker and Marilyne Kay Brooks.

Harold was a very dedicated father to his children.  He loved hanging out with family and friends and cheating at penny poker and gin rummy.  Harold was a graduate of West Elk High School.  During his youth, Harold started wrestling with the Douglass Wrestling Club.  His wrestling continued throughout his high school career and after.  He wrestled in tournaments in Australia, and he won the Iowa National Open.  Harold worked as a roughneck for Gulick Drilling in Eureka, Kansas.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and setting off big fireworks.

Harold is survived by his soulmate, Stephanie Pettyjohn of Severy, Kansas; one son, Christopher Whittaker of Severy, Kansas; one daughter, Alya Whittaker of Valley Center, Kansas; his father, Gary Whittaker of Severy, Kansas; his mother, Marilyne Whittaker of Mount Lake Terrace, Washington; his stepmother, Mila Whittaker of Severy, Kansas; his paternal grandmother, Opal Whittaker of Severy, Kansas; maternal grandmother, Inez Brooks of Aberdeen, Washington; six brothers, Gary Whittaker Jr. of Medford, Oregon, Josh Whittaker of Colver City California, Trever Brooks (Whittaker) of Marysville, Washington, Travis "Corky" Whittaker of Roberts, Wisconsin, Trace Church of McPherson, Kansas, and Broker Whittaker of Severy, Kansas; and two sisters, Crystal Houchin of Severy, Kansas and Crashena Church of Severy, Kansas.  He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Harold Whittaker and William Brooks.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm. Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at the Severy Elementary Gymnasium with Pastor Dave Warren officiating.  Public visitation will be held Monday, April 4, 2011 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Countryside-Zimmerman Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.  Interment will be at South Lawn Cemetery in Severy, Kansas.  Family suggests memorials to the Harold  Whittaker III Wrestling Scholarship Fund and may be left with the funeral home.  Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of Countryside-Zimmerman Funeral Home.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)