John Charles Whitaker, 85, of Shawnee, Kansas, (formerly of Wichita, KS) passed away peacefully on August 26, 2026, at home, surrounded by the love of his family, with his devoted wife, JoAnn (Jodie) Bennett Whitaker, lovingly by his side.
John was born on June 15, 1941, in Oil Hill, Kansas, to Charles Raymond Whitaker and Virginia May Solomon. His life was not always an easy one. His younger years were marked by challenges and turmoil, but through those experiences, John grew into a gentle, kind, and caring man who valued the people he loved most. In time, he found some of life’s greatest joys in being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
John served in the United States Navy and loved his time in the oil fields in Oklahoma before building a successful career at Boeing and becoming a truck driver. He had an enduring fascination with airplanes, a love of writing, (poetry and even a book) photography and a particular appreciation for anything connected to the Old West. These interests reflected his curiosity, imagination, and appreciation for the things that captured his heart.
The highlight of his life was John’s love of his family. His children and grandchildren brought him tremendous happiness, and he cherished the special relationships he shared with them. He took joy in their lives and treasured the time they spent together. As a husband, he shared a loving bond with Jodie, who remained faithfully at his side through life’s joys and difficulties and was with him in his final moments.
Those who knew John will remember his gentle and kind manner, his quiet warmth, and especially his sense of humor. He had a way of bringing a smile to those around him, and the memories of his laughter, his stories, and the simple moments shared with him will remain precious to his family and friends.
Above all else, John’s relationship with his God, Jehovah, was at the center of his life. His faith was not simply something he believed—it was something he carried with him and sought to live by. His dedication to Jehovah, demonstrated by his baptism on March 22, 1986, gave him strength through difficult times and provided him with hope, comfort, and a sense of purpose. His faith was deeply important to him, and it was a source of great comfort as he looked forward to the promises found in the Bible. Those who shared his faith knew how much he treasured the hope of seeing his loved ones again.
John is survived by his beloved wife, JoAnn (Jodie) Bennett Whitaker; his son, John Whitaker Jr.; his daughters, Lori Grissom and Tonya Chapman; his sisters, Dixie Reeves and Marcia Warren; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; five stepchildren; ten step-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Paul Kimberlin and Mark Kimberlin; and his sisters, Judy Edwards, Francis Meyer, Muriel Kent, and Marla Monger.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service celebrating John’s life at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses North, located at 3040 N. Jackson Ave., Wichita, KS 67204, on September 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CST. For those unable to attend in person, a virtual livestream will be available via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 91685855363
Passcode: 58102425
Flowers may be sent to c/o Evelyn Bonneson, 2139 W Manhattan, Wichita, KS 67204. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Jehovah’s Witnesses at JW.org, if desired.
John leaves behind a family who loved him deeply and a lifetime of memories that will be treasured for years to come. His gentle spirit, humor, love for his family, and unwavering devotion to Jehovah will not be forgotten. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and patiently awaited by those who hold dear the hope of seeing him again.
