Arthur Whitaker, 78, of Lewiston, Idaho, passed away of cancer at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012.
I was born to Maude and Edwin Whitaker Jan. 19, 1934, on a homestead 40 miles north of Rudyard, Mont. Together my parents raised 14 children, of which I was fifth in line. I attended school in Havre, Mont. I joined the Air Force in 1952, during the Korean War. I was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1956, the same year I married Penny Bennett, settling in Havre. From this union six children were born. That marriage ended in divorce in 1994.
After fulfilling my military duties, I worked for Havre Ford Dealership as a Ford mechanic for 40 years. I took time off as a mechanic during the fall and served as a guide and outfitter, packing horses and mules in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. I continued the outfitter and guide business for 38 years. My greatest passion was elk hunting. I also loved to shoot archery, fish, was a farrier, an artist, and a poet. In 1999 I moved to Lewiston, Idaho, where I met my soul mate and best friend, Patricia George.
Preceding me in my death, were my parents; brothers, Bruce, George, Ben and Alfred; and sister, Joanne.
Arthur Whitaker
Survivors include brothers, Bob of Powell, Wyo., Elmer of Roseburg, Ore., Walt of Clarkston, Wash, Don of Farmington, Utah, Eddy of Mayfield, Utah, Allen of Olney, Mont. ; and sisters, Lora Hall and Bessie Self, both of Hillsboro, Ore.
Surviving are my six children, LaRae Koski of Colstrip, Mont., Vickie Ehrlekrona of Billings, Mont. ; Steven Whitaker of Loveland, Colo., Kimi Leturgez of Fort Collins, Colo., Julie Mock of Enid, Okla., and James Whitaker of Salt Lake City, Utah. I am also survived by 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of my life will be held on Monday, Oct. 22, 2012, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 633 Fifth Ave., Lewiston, Idaho. The Rosary will begin at 10:30 a. m., followed by the funeral Mass beginning at 11 a. m., with a luncheon to follow in the Parish Center.
Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home is in charge of cremation. Interment will take place at a later date in the Kamiah, Idaho, Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances in my name may be made to a charitable organization of your choice.
