Darrell Ford Whitaker, 84, of Napoleon, Michigan, passed away peacefully in his sleep, on June 27th, 2024. Darrell’s family and friends gathered from on Monday, July 15th, 2024, at Our Lady of Fatima located at 913 Napoleon Road, Michigan Center, Michigan 49254. Tim MacDonald led the funeral mass immediately following the visitation. Burial followed at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Napoleon Township, Michigan.
Darrell was born on March 4, 1940, in Royalton, Kentucky to Green and Medie Lynch (Arnett) Whitaker. Darrell married Shirley Jeanne Murray on August 1, 1959, at First Church of the Nazarene in Jackson, Michigan. When they first met, Shirley was 14 and Darrell was 17. Darrell always said, “Shirley was the greatest gift I have ever received.” They lacked 33 days of being married for 65 memorable years together.
Darrell was a factory worker at Hayes-Albion in Jackson, Michigan. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Darrell enjoyed spending time with his family. He had a contagious sense of humor, was always sentimental, and loved telling stories and reminiscing of family members who had passed. Darrell and Shirley enjoyed getting together twice a week to play cards with other couples. Another of his favorite pastimes was playing poker with friends. He loved traveling, camping, and spending time in the woods. Darrell will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Darrell is survived by his wife, Shirley Jeanne Whitaker; his children, Sandra Jeanne Hitt, and Mark David Whitaker (Donna Ritchie); sister, Ruth Ann Patrick; 14 grandchildren and their spouses; 26 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Green and Medie Whitaker; grandparents, Harris and Jane Bailey Whitaker, and Gratz and Cora Whitely Arnett; brothers, Dudley Wayne Whitaker and Harris Gratz Whitaker; son-in-law, James Glenn Hitt; and grandson Nicolas Stephen Hitt.
