Joseph Whitaker

Joseph Edgar Whitaker, 85, of Penrose, passed away on Monday, July 18, 2016 at the John Keever Solace Center in Asheville. A native of Henderson County, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Joseph Samuel and Barbara Stansell Whitaker.

A Veteran of the US Air Force, he served as an M.P. and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.

His loving survivors include his wife of almost 60 years, Barbara Talley Whitaker; their children Patti Whitaker (Mike) of Brevard, Doug Whitaker (Susan) of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren Ryan Monteith (Susan), Keagan Monteith, Caroline Cross (Taylor) and Natalie Whitaker; great-grandchildren Colton Monteith and Carson Monteith; and sister Patricia Houck of Hendersonville, NC.

A memorial service for Mr. Whitaker will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 22, 2016 at Brevard Wesleyan Church with rev. Hank Moffit and Rev. Richard Jelly officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. The family will have a private burial with military funeral rites performed by the United States Air Force and the Transylvania County Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Mr. Whitaker's name to Care Partners Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813 or on the web at carepartnersfoundation.org/donate.html

To leave a condolence for the family of Joseph Whitaker, please visit "obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com . Moore-Blanchard Funerals & Cremations is serving the family.