Ronald Whittaker
Ronald L. ‘Ron’ Whittaker, age 79, of Quincy, died on December 1, 2025 in the Illinois Veterans Home. He was born on April 19, 1946 in Quincy the son of Kenneth and Virginia (Ohnemus) Whittaker. He married Rosemary ‘Rosie’ Shaffer on April 22, 1967 in St. John Catholic Church. She survives.
He went to St. Francis Catholic School and was a 1964 graduate of Quincy High School. He was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church where he was an usher and also was a member of the Men’s Society. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Ron was an avid golfer and pool player. He enjoyed working in the yard and loved the outdoors. He also always had a project going on. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with the family, especially the grandkids.
Ron worked for Klingner and Associates for exactly 40 years.
In addition to his wife, Ron is also survived by:
THREE DAUGHTERS: Renee Degitz, Rhonda Goodwin (Shawn), and Rochelle Howard (Staven) all of Quincy.
GRANDCHILDREN: Taylor Degitz, Blake Degitz, Maggie Goodwin, Libby Goodwin, Gabriel Howard and Benjamin Howard.
SIBLINGS: Daniel Whittaker (Ann), Glenn Whittaker and Roger Whittaker (Sandy)
SISTERS-IN-LAW: Betty Reichert (Richard) and Susan Walbring and Ann Shaffer.
Numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Virginia Whittaker, his in laws: Floyd and Louise Shaffer, a sister in law: Mary Whittaker and brothers in law: Donald Shaffer along with his wife Joan, Dennis Shaffer and Robert Shaffer.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and at 9:30 AM at the Catholic Chapel of the Illinois Veterans Home. Interment in Calvary Cemetery with military rites at the cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Illinois Veterans Home Activities Fund, the Toys for Tots Program, the Blessing Foundation for Hospice or Masses in his memory can be given for the Illinois Veterans Home Chapel or to St. Francis Catholic Church. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Rosie I am so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. He was such a great person and will be missed by all his family and friends. My prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Rosie, I’m sorry about Ron, what a great couple you were. I hope you can cherish all the memories you shared. Sending you love, strength, and peace.
My thought’s and Prayers for his family. Roger and Sandy I’m so sorry for your loss.
Thank you Carolyn for your thoughtfulness.
Rosie, rhonda Sorry for your loss, you have my deepest condolences and prayers
Carol Calkins
Bruce and Shirley Tode send sincere condolences to Ron’s family. We were high school friends, and thought a lot of Ron. Bruce remembers his high school Oldsmobile fondly❤️
Thank you for your condolences and kind words.
We sincerely appreciate your kind words.
Rosie and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Ron always had a smile on his face and was pleasant to be around.
Rosie, my sincere sympathy to you and your family upon Ron’s death.
Rosie and family, We were saddened to hear of Ron’s passing and offer our sincere condolences to you and your family, We are truly sorry we missed the visitation. Due to late newspaper delivery we were unaware of his passing until it was too late. Ron was a trusted associate of mine at Klingner’s for 35 years. I could always count on him, and his skill as a draftsman/engineering technician was often overlooked. We worked on many projects together and Ron was always asking questions and offering suggestions to make the end result better. He always wanted to know why are you doing it that way, which is something I always appreciated. He was also a “good friend”. We played many rounds of golf together and there was no doubt Ron was the better golfer. He also had a quiet sense of humor and a great smile which always served to make things go better at the office.
We will be remembering you in our prayers as you pass through this season of sadness. Bill and Connie
Thank you so much for all your kind words. It really meant a lot to our whole family.
I remember my father talking about you fondly to us.
Rosie-what a wonderful-devoted wife-human being you are. Loss is so hard-remember thinking so often about you (both) as true example of “for better or worse” love.
We were blessed with both finding and sharing it for so many years.
Peace be with you & family-MJ Rischar
To Rosie and Ron’s family: I worked with Ron at K&A for many years and he was always a coworker you could count on whatever was needed – assistance with a problem, an interjected pithy comment, a better solution… He was quite the character and was sadly missed when he retired. Over the years he acquired a body of knowledge and professionalism that doesn’t just walk in off the street or straight out of college. Couldn’t attend the visitation due to a family obligation that night but want you to know I am thinking of you all and praying for peace and God’s consolation especially during this first holiday season without Ron. God Bless.