George W. Whitaker

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – George Washington Whitaker entered into eternal rest on Friday, the 6th of October 2023 in Harlingen, Texas. He was eighty-five years of age.

George was born on February 19, 1938 in McGuffey, Ohio, son of Ollie Whitaker and Clarinda Williams Whitaker, and one of nine children in his family. He attended elementary school in Springport, Michigan and then attended high school at Eaton Rapids High School in Eaton Rapids, Michigan.

George was married to Donis Ilene Iauch on June 27, 1959 at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte, Michigan. Their first child, Julie Irene Whitaker, was born in 1960; Tamara Ilene Whitaker was born in 1963; and Eric George Whitaker was born in 1968. All three children were born at Hayes-Green-Beach Hospital in Charlotte, Michigan. George and Donis’ first house was partially built by George and Donis’ father, Harold Iauch, at 2152 S. Cochran, Charlotte, Michigan. They happily lived in this house and brought up their family here. After Donis’ mother, Mildred Iauch, passed away in 1986, George and Donis bought and redecorated her house and loved living there until 1994. At that time, they became permanent residents at River Bend Resort in Brownsville, Texas so that they could be closer to their children and grandchildren in Houston, Texas.

His first job was at Lawrence Bakery in Lansing, Michigan. He then worked for a foundation contractor in Lansing, Michigan. After that, George worked for Fisher Body in Lansing, Michigan until he was laid off. He was then hired at Lindell Drop Forge in Lansing, Michigan where he worked for 30 years before retiring.

George was an accomplished woodworker and made many pieces of furniture and other items for his family and friends. He loved gardening and had big gardens when he lived in Michigan and always had nice lawns with pretty flowers at their homes.

The family will gather at a later date at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte, Michigan, where George will be laid to rest.

Memories of George may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.