BEAVER DAM — Jeffrey Russell “Rusty” Whittaker, 36, of Beaver Dam, passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. He was born on July 19, 1985, in Austin, Texas, to Jeffrey Joe Whittaker and Vicky Drake Johnson. Rusty was a member of Barnett’s Creek Baptist Church, and he was a heavy equipment operator for the operator’s union IUOE Local 181. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding his motorcycle, being outdoors, going to the races, working on race cars, and going to the river. He loved his children and family gatherings, especially when they involved eating. Rusty loved God. He loved helping people and he loved life.
He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Donald Ray Johnson, and his great grandparents, Leonard and Geraldine Whittaker.
He leaves behind to cherish many wonderful memories, his wife, Tracy Whittaker, of Hartford; his children, Russell Gage Whittaker, of Cromwell, Jayden Christopher Todd Sorrels, of Hartford, Payton Anna Lynn Whittaker, of Hartford, and Trenity Tessa Ray Whittaker, of Hartford; his parents, Vicky Drake Johnson, of Beaver Dam, and Jeffrey Joe (Alicia) Whittaker, of Utica; three sisters, Janna (Jon) Boyd, of Centertown, Jesika Whittaker, of Beaver Dam, and Destini Johnson, of Beaver Dam; two stepbrothers, Brandon (Sarah) Miles, of Bowling Green, and Trace Tichenor; his grandparents, Rondall Joe and Shirley Irene Whittaker, of Hartford, and James Russell and Janice Fay Drake, of Cromwell; nephews and nieces, Jon-David Parker Boyd, Brooklyn Rhoades, Brenlee Rhoades, Brystal Rhoades, Brilynn Nicole Faith Howard and Caleb Brian Howard; sister-in-law, Sabrina (Brian) Howard, of Hartford; and uncles and aunts, Russell Todd Drake, James Steven Drake, Janice Marie Drake, Angie Stumpf and Sherry Magan.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 24, at William L. Danks Funeral Home in Beaver Dam, with Brother Justin T. Hunter and Brother Clint White officiating. Burial will follow in Green River Cemetery in Cromwell. Friends may visit with Rusty’s family from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Sunday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Jeffrey Russell “Rusty” Whittaker Memorial Fund, c/o William L. Danks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 407, Beaver Dam, KY 42320. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Online messages of condolence may be left for the family of Jeffrey Russell “Rusty” Whittaker by visiting his memorial tribute at www.danksfuneralhome.com.
