GREAT BEND — Robert Leon Whittaker, 76, died Wednesday, May 18 at the Hays Medical Center.
He was born May 3, 1935 at Dodge City, the son of Otis Jesse and Velda Dora (Israel) Whittaker. He married Arleen L. Smith September 2, 1955 at First Christian Church, Great Bend.
Mr. Whittaker was a graduate of Ingalls High School. He was a resident of Great Bend since 1953. He worked as a manager in an auto body shop before his retirement. Memberships were St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Great Bend, and the Barton Community College Booster Club.
Survivors are his spouse/companion Arleen L. Whittaker, Great Bend; two daughters, Sheryl Butler and husband Mike Butler, Hays; Michelle Benoit and husband Doug Benoit, Esbon; and six grandchildren, Kelsey Butler, Ashley Butler, McKenzie Benoit, Sydney Benoit, Thayne Benoit, and Colby Benoit.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis Jesse and Velda Dora (Israel) Whittaker; and three brothers, Jesse Otis Whittaker, Terrill Dean Whittaker and Earl Ross Whittaker.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 26 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Great Bend, with Pastor Kenton Rohrberg and Pastor Adam Wutka officiating. Inurnment will be at  a later date.
Memorials may be sent to DREAM Inc. (Children’s Camps), Hays; or the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements by Charter Funerals *
2115 Washington
Great Bend, KS, 67530
(620) 793-6161
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 22, 2011