Vern Elmer Whitaker

A beloved son of our Father in Heaven, Vern Elmer Whitaker, passed from this mortal life Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

He was born August 20, 1941 in Brigham City, Utah on his grandma Whitaker''s birthday and also shares the day with his younger brother, Robert.

The family moved to Sunset in 1951 where he continued his schooling and graduated from Davis High School. Taught well by his parents, Elmer and Alice Viola Johnson Whitaker, he has always been a dependable worker. He was a skilled craftsman with many interests and enjoyed using his hands from baking bread to refurbishing old castoffs of wood and metal.

Vern was a loyal friend and shared many great times with his family and old buddies hunting, camping, or just "shootin'' the breeze". He loved motorcycles and "The Klunker Club".

He retired from HAFB as a general aircraft mechanic.

Vern married Linda Jo Webb and from this union came two of his beautiful daughters, Tamra Lynn and Teresa Marie. They later divorced. On May 27, 1978, he married Linda Kirby. Their princess, Katy Jo was stillborn December 17, 1988.

Vern is survived by his wife, Linda and daughter, Tammy Emrich, both of Roy; three sisters, Nadine Chavez, Temple, TX; LaVerle (Skip) Andersen, Brigham City; VaLinda (Ronald) Jackson, Clearfield; brother, Robert Whitaker, Brigham City; brothers-in-law, Bob Spencer, Sunset; Glenn (Tami) Kirby, Layton; sisters-in-law, Pat Barney, Layton; Tammy (Brian) Christensen, Syracuse; and many nieces and nephews who loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Norene Spencer, and his daughter, Teresa.

Vern''s family wish to thank his faithful wife, Linda, for her devoted care of Vern and the girls during this long trial of COPD and Huntington''s disease, respectively. Also, sincere appreciation for the staff at Inspiration Hospice.

Graveside services will be held Monday, May 21st at 1p.m. at Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Lindquist''s Roy Mortuary.

His admonishment to all, "you can die in many ways, why kill yourself smoking or over-eating".