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Ernest “Dale” Whitaker, age 87, of Eubank, Kentucky, passed away from this life on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in Danville, Kentucky.
He was born on October 5, 1939 in Letcher County, Kentucky. He was the son of the late Rufus and Crissie Whitaker of Eubank, Kentucky.
He was a member of Friendship Church of Old Regular Baptist. He also attended regular church services at Floyd Switch Baptist Church, both in Eubank, Kentucky.
He was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he served in the United States Army for three years. He was a member of the Norwood Masonic Lodge of Norwood, OH #576 F & A.M. and an Honorary Member of the Waynesburg Masonic Lodge, #328 F & A.M. and Waynesburg Eastern Star Chapter #501 and an Eastern Star of Norwood, OH. He was a member of the York Rite and Scottish Rite of Norwood, OH. Dale and his wife, Joan, were very active supporters in Job’s Daughters and Rainbow Girls for over 35 years.
He retired from Cincinnati Milacron in the Oakley neighborhood of Cincinnati, OH. After retiring, he worked for Ms. Warner doing landscaping, running errands, or anything else Ms. Warner needed him to do. He enjoyed working for her for many years. He then moved back to Eubank, Kentucky with his wife, Joan, to fully retire and to be close to his brothers.
He enjoyed gardening, canning and going to the Eubank Senior Citizen Center weekly to eat and play cards with friends. He also enjoyed deer hunting with his brother, but most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and being together with family at celebrations and holidays. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife of 62 years, whom he married August 30, 1958, Eva Joan Whitaker. His sisters, Dorsie Jean Whitaker and Sara Jane May, his brothers, Donald and Robert Whitaker.
He is survived by his daughter, Sandra (Chris) Miller of Harrison, OH. His brothers, Reed (Mary) Whitaker and Jim (Karen) Whitaker, both of Eubank, Ky. Three grandchildren, Scott (Katie) Brown of Harrison, OH, Tracy (Jalal) Dababseh of Westerville, OH and Bryce Miller of Harrison, OH. Eight great-grandchildren, Emilie and Aiden Ball, Everly Brown, Sara, Reema, Saleem and Yafa Dababseh, Isaiah Brown, one great-great grandchild, and a host of other family members and many friends.
Visitation will begin at 11am on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at Southern Oaks Funeral Home.
Masonic Rites service will be conducted at 1pm with funeral service to follow at 2pm with Bro. Jeff Griffin and Bro. Jason Hall officiating. Burial will be in Eubank Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Gideon Memorial Bible Fund.
Military Honors will be conducted by American Legion Honor Guard Post #38. Southern Oaks Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.