Phyllis J. Whitaker

Phyllis J. Whitaker, age 88, passed away at home on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. Phyllis was born in Dayton, Ohio on November 3, 1928, where she lived until the age of 16 then getting married and moved to Harlan, Kentucky, living there for 15 years. She then was a Lake Station resident for over 25 years, and then moved to Valparaiso, Indiana until her death. She was retired from the Holiday Inn located in Portage with 17 ½ years of service in the Housekeeping Department. Phyllis will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.

Phyllis is survived by three sons, Hubert E. Whitaker (Laurie Woodside) of Arizona, Aubrey L. Whitaker of Valparaiso, and Stephen M. Whitaker of Valparaiso, three daughters, Violet Jean (Wendal) Watson of Tennessee, Shirley A. (Steven) Cauley of Arizona and Barbara Sue (Verlan) Alred of Portage; 18 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren, with numerous relatives in Dayton, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, sisters, daughter, grandson and former husband, Hubert F. Whitaker.

A funeral service for Phyllis will take place Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 12:00 pm at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave Portage, IN 46368 with Pastor David Nykamp officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Portage. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 20, 2017 from 3-8 pm at the funeral home. For more information, please call 219-762-3013. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.