JOHN BUGH WHITAKER

June 02, 2023

John Bugh Whitaker, 76, of Ewing, MO died May 24, 2023 at his home near Ewing.

He was born December 23, 1946 in Ewing a son of Basil Lee and Helen Louise Bugh Whitaker.  He married Linda Jean Earlywine on October 6, 2012 at Lewistown First Baptist Church.  She survives.

John worked for Knapheide Manufacturing in Quincy retiring after 37 years.  He had also been employed with the Lewis County C-1 School District, Bunge and Gardner Denver.  Some of his hobbies included Pencil and Chalk drawings, building shadow boxes and wood working.  He thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors and especially raising Angus cattle.  His pride and joy were his grandchildren whom he spoiled whenever possible.

John had been a member of the C-1 Booster Club, Splash Station Board of Directors and the Ten Point Hunting Club.  He was a supporter of local law enforcement and local government and was also a strong supporter of the second amendment.

 John and his brothers enjoyed restoring John Deer Tractors.  He liked to attend local fund raisers, dances and would be known to go antiquing occasionally.  Beyond everything else, his family was always the most important aspect of his life. 

 Survivors include his wife, Linda of Ewing; sons, Tony (Ronda) Whitaker of Lewistown, Adam Ragar of Monroe City, MO and Eric (Marissa) Ragar of Danvers, IL; daughters, Amber Whitaker Cope of Troy, MO, Brenda (Jason) Wasser of Foristell, MO, Catie Whitaker of Lewistown, Chrissie (Nick) Jacobson of Ewing, Samantha Klocke-Clay of Lewistown and Bobbi Jo Patterson of Lewistown; sisters, Madeline Trpkosh, Betty (Kent) Thrasher and Victoria Williams-Fisher; brothers, Cliff Whitaker, Danny Whitaker, Lavern Whitaker and Delane Whitaker; grandsons, Douglas (Courtney) Whitaker, Geoffrey Whitaker, J.J. Wasser, Jaxon and Jace Franklin, Riley and Brayden Yonker, Chase, Colton and Ryland Ragar, Hunter Vorce and Christopher Patterson; granddaughters, Jade Cope, Dannika Yonker, Ellie Jacobson, Amillia Ragar, Raylee Ragar, Chloe and Ciara Klocke and Emma McKenzie; great grandson, William Whitaker and numerous nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Barb Whitaker, his in laws, Merlin and Norma Earlywine, sisters, Faye Whitaker, Mary McIntosh, Virginia Leekley, Lorraine Crabill, brothers, Roger Whitaker, Virgil Whitaker, Bob Whitaker, Phil Whitaker and Jimmy Whitaker and granddaughter in law, Madi Whitaker.

Memorial services were held May 27, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Ewing with Rev. Ted D. Middleton and Rev. Richard Ulrich officiating.  Visitation was held May 26, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Ewing. Honorary Pallbearers:  Tony Whitaker, Douglas Whitaker, Geoffrey Whitaker, Adam Ragar, Eric Ragar, Nick Jacobson, Jason Wasser, Sonny Klocke, J.J. Wasser, Jaxon Franklin, Jace Franklin, Riley Yonker, Brayden Yonker, Chase Ragar, Colton Ragar, Ryland Ragar, Hunter Vorce, Christopher Patterson and William Whitaker Music:  Linda Robertson, Pianist. Songs:  You are my Flower, I’ll Fly Away, Dancing in the Sky and How Great thou Art.

The family suggests memorials be made to Hospice of Northeast Missouri or to the Parkinson’s Foundation in care of the Ball-Davis Funeral Home, P.O. Box 273, Ewing, MO 63440 in Ewing.

Online condolences may be left at www.davis-fh.com

Honorary Pallbearers:  Tony Whitaker, Douglas Whitaker, Geoffrey Whitaker, Adam Ragar, Eric Ragar, Nick Jacobson, Jason Wasser, Sonny Klocke, J.J. Wasser, Jaxon Franklin, Jace Franklin, Riley Yonker, Brayden

Yonker, Chase Ragar, Colton Ragar, Ryland Ragar, Hunter Vorce, Christopher Patterson and William Whitaker

 Music:  Linda Robertson, Pianist

Songs:  “You are my Flower”, “I’ll Fly Away” “Dancing in the Sky” and “ How Great thou Art”