Micheal Lynn Whiteaker

Micheal Lynn Whiteaker, 75, of Rossville, IN passed away on Monday, January 30 at 7:00 a.m. with his loving wife and daughters at his side.

Mike was born July 8, 1947 in Lafayette to the late Glenn Sr. and Louise (Bennett) Whiteaker and was a 1965 graduate of East Tipp High School.

Mike joined the Wood, Wire and Metal Lathers Union in 1966 working as a lather until 1979 when the Lathers Union merged with the Carpenters. He continued working as a lather/carpenter until his retirement in 2003.

On March 18, 1966, Mike married the girl next door, Lauretta J. Harner (Retta) who survives. Mike and Retta raised three daughters, Melissa Jasek of Lafayette, Lori Cripe (David) of Lafayette, and Marcie Bowerman (Jerry) of Pleasant Hill, OH. They were also blessed with five grandchildren, Shawn Michael Swindle (Christin Christopher) and Cory Swindle of Lafayette and Cassidy, Kasey and Stephan Bowerman of Pleasant Hill, OH.

Mike is survived by three brothers, Randy Whiteaker of Delphi, IN, Roger Whiteaker (Geri) of Oceanside, CA, and Pat Whiteaker (Kim), one sister, Phyllis Horne (Dan), and sister-in-law Genny Whiteaker all of Lafayette. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, big brother Glenn Jr., and in-laws Verne and Jean Harner.

Mike enjoyed woodworking in his shop, creating anything from finely crafted tables for their home to bird feeders of every shape and size. He enjoyed selling his handcrafted wares at festivals in the area. He took pride in maintaining his lawn and home by doing many of the updates himself through the years. Mike was also a supporter of Rossville athletics for many years, supporting his girls at their athletic events and continuing all these years after they were long out of school.

After his family, Mike’s passion was the Indianapolis 500. He made several trips to the track each May and on race day you would find him sitting in the 4th turn with family at his side. His greatest thrill at the track was taking a ride in a two-seater which was a gift from his wife, their girls, and long-time good friends, Gary and Susie Gray.

Visitation will be from 4-8:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 at Davidson Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at Davidson Funeral Home, Delphi at 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2023 with Pastor Dwight Monical officiating. Burial will follow in Dayton Cemetery, Dayton.

Memorial contributions in Mike’s memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Rossville High School Athletics Department.

 www.davidsonfh.com