Name: Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home
Address: Peoria, IL

Just read the news. What a Great person! I have a lot of gratitude and respect for Mr. Whitaker. He took a lot interest in me and I will always appreciate him.

I am so sad to hear of Mr. Whitaker's passing.  He gave me an opportunity that changed my life.  I truly admired his straightforwardness and commitment.  Mr. Whitaker set very high standards for himself and everyone else and he was willing to support his beliefs.  I have nothing but respect for him and appreciation of his dedication to the children of Peoria, his city and people that were willing to follow his example.  He will be missed.

So saddened to hear of Mr. Whitaker's passing.  I was the last teacher he hired as Principal at Peoria High and I will forever be grateful for his support, advice, and encouragement. He was truly "one of a kind" and will always be remembered by all in a wonderful way.

The Whitaker family please accept our condolences for the huge hole in your family circle and this community that Mr, Whitaker's death  has left. Although I had permission to call him Harry, he will always be Mr. Whitaker to me from the respect he automatically commanded. He was my teacher, my adviser, and always made this confused teenager feel like a winner. My husband knew him also as a coach. Throughout our life in Peoria, he always kept up with what was going on in our lives. He always remembered our names as
we shall always remember his, Penny(David) Radley (Peoria,IL

Arlene and family, You have my deepest sympathy. I am  honored to have known him as my PHS leader, best man at my wedding, and a true friend in our retirement years.  He was the epitome of a man with strong convictions and integrity. You will live on in the hearts of many whose lives you touched.  Rest in peace, friend.

Sincere friendship and sympathy to Dan and the Whitaker family. Dan, I recall your father from our days at Glen Oak and then onto PHS. He was a true leader in the education core of our city.  May the wonderful memories you all treasure...help sustain you during this difficult time.

Mr Whitaker was a Great Guy very fair, and ran a tight ship, Dist 150 will never have another leader as strong and Smart as Mr Whitaker. My regards to his family and may he rest in piece.  Bill Hutchings class of 1970

My thoughts and prayers to the Whitaker family in the loss of Harry.  I was fortunate to have played freshman basketball under Harry at PHS and to have seen him occasionally and followed his career and his contribution to the education of youth in Peoria. What a wonderful person.

God Bless

Very sorry to hear of Mr. 
Whitaker's passing.  He made a huge contribution to sports and education in Peoria.

An excerpt from the Navy Hymn:

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who biddest the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea! 

Harry Whitaker was a proud member of the United States Navy and an honored member of American Legion Post 2. 
He will always be remembered as "one of us." 

Harry was a Member of the Legion for 22 Continuous years

For God and Country
Bill Davies 
Commander Post 2

I was saddened to read of Mr Whitaker's passing. He was my principal while at Peoria High. What a great guy, tough but caring and fair minded. 
My late father, Bill Rowbotham worked for Harry
at the District until Harry's retirement and said he never had a better boss.

My prayers go out to the Whitaker family.

Ann Rowbotham

To Dan, Gary, Mrs. Whitaker and members of the Whitaker family, you have my deepest sympathy. It's been my good fortune to have befriended your family through my close relationship with Dan since our elementary school years. The Whitaker household was my second home. I will forever  cherish the memories of my experiences with Dan and your family as well as trips to the farm. Mr. Whitaker was a man of integrity who walked very securely in his shoes. When I began my teaching career I leaned on him due to his wisdom and understanding of children and policy in order to assist me. He was a mentor in so many ways. I don't know of anyone who read more than your dad. Whenever I was at the house he was reading or working in the yard. Even in later years watching the Bears together he would read a book or a magazine when the game wasn't going so well. Your mom and dad were always so gracious. With all the recognition your dad has received, rightfully so, I believe that your mom and dad's greatest legacy will be your extended family. May God bless the Whitaker family.

 I'm writing this note on behalf of my Mother, Jean Johnson - she served as Mr. Whitaker's executive Secretary during his years as PPS-150 superintendent, but he was so much more than just her 'boss'... Harry was also a caring friend, a mentor and a great example! 
  
 My father and I (Jeff Johnson) also knew Harry & Arlene well.  In fact, my parents, Tom & Jean, socialized frequently with the Whitaker's long after both had retired from D-150. 
 In fact, as recently as last Autumn, Harry was taking great joy in reminding me that "his Cubs" had finally surpassed my team, the Cardinals, as World Champs. 
  As humble as he was, Harry cannot possibly know the many people on whom he had a positive impact. 
 
  On behalf of my Mother, Jean, our sincere condolences to Arlene and 'the boys'!

Condolences to Arlene and family as I recall memories of District 50, my father and Harry. To a life well lived, he gave all his talents to better our world through teaching and example.

The best superintendent District 150 had and was tough, fair, and kind.  He got things done. I enjoyed teaching while he held "the reins". My mom was custodian and he always had nice things to say to her as she cleaned his office. He always told her to "take it easy".  He lived a great life and will be missed! Prayers to his family.

To the Whitaker family.  May I take this time to send my heartfelt sympathy upon Harry's passing.  He was an amazing boss to our faculty at PHS as well as one of the best Superintendents District 150 ever had. We appreciated his support of the fine arts program through the years.   He touched so many lives in his years as an educator and his legacy still lives on today and will for years to come. May God enfold your family in his comforting arms as you celebrate this great man's abundant life.  He will be missed by all who knew him.

Arlene Gary and Dan, I am so sorry for your lose....  Mr. Whitaker as I always called him was a great man and always watched our for his students..
I met him in 1962 or so when we delivered the Peoria journal Star when you all lived on Arcadia...
Few years later he was the Principal At Peoria "Central" H.S.  I was there 66-69 but left cause Uncle Sam invited me to tour the world.  many nite I remember Mr. H's world of wisdom and it ment lot. I am sorry to see him go he was a great man.

Condolences to Mr. Whitaker's family.  Mr. Whitaker was a coach and principal during my years at Peoria Central Class of 1964.  He was a fair and decent man...very well respected.

To the Whitaker family:  During this sad time I hope you will take comfort in the knowledge that you were so lucky to have this man as your husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  His legacy will be all of you.  But his legacy will also be the students and people he influenced throughout his life and career.  Our family knew him first as my brother's (Rick Nothstine) little league coach in the 50's.  Then he was my English teacher at PHS in the 60's.  My favorite story/memory of him is this:  He had assigned me a book to read and then was going to give me a written test.  The book was Leon Uris' Exodus.  The first question on the test was "How do you think the fact that Uris is Jewish influenced his writing?"  My answer was "I didn't know he was Jewish." (truly I didn't!)  Mr. Whitaker told me he had a really good laugh over that.  And he decided to give me an A for my honesty!  I had the opportunity to remind him of that story over the years at many PHS reunions, the last one being my brother's 50th in 2015.  He will always be my favorite teacher and a piece of my heart is broken today.  May God's love and presence in your lives give you comfort.

 On behalf of my Mother, 'Jean Johnson', who served as Harry's Exec Secretary during his years as PPS Superintendent, we send our sincere condolences to Arlene and the 'boys' on the passing of Harry.  
  To my Mother, Harry Whitaker began as her 'boss', but he also became her mentor & friend.  In their retirement years and until this day, Harry & Arlene frequently "double-dated" to local events with my mother & father (RIP). 
  I, too, knew Mr. Whitaker well, and he took great pleasure last Autumn in reminding me (a Cardinals fan) that "his Cubs" had won the World Series - every time we saw one another! 
  
  Always humble, I'm sure Harry could never imagine the many lives he impacted so positively.  
  My mother sends her fondness to you and your family, Harry ~ and my family sends our gratitude.

Rest In Peace, Mr. Whitaker, and Gods Peace and Comfort for your family and friends.  Our parents were good friends and knew Mr. Whitaker as a fair and honorable man.  He was respected by all that knew him.  
The Jackman's

To the Whitaker family-simply said "he was the best".  He hired me as a young man and always encouraged and inspired me to work hard.  He supported me as a teacher, coach and as the principal at Peoria High School.  I could never repay what he did for me as an educator and as a person.  I will continue to pray for your great family.  Thanks for sharing him over the years with the Peoria community.

Blessings, 

Randy Simmons

Heartfelt condolences go out to Harry's immediate family while he was a resident at LHV.

Harry, "coach", touched so many lives but none more than mine.  He was my high school baseball coach as well as my freshman football coach.  More than a coach, it was he who encouraged my wife & I to begin our married life together with a baby to be born.  (a decision that has resulted in 54 years,  three children and 7 grandchildren). It was Coach who encouraged me to get my college degree so that I could teach and coach some day.  I give coach credit for making high school athletics such a good experience that I wanted to be a teacher and coach.  There is no one that I admired more than him and will always thank God that he played such an important part in my life.

Arlene, my heart goes out to you., remembering Sunday

First and foremost please accept Ann's and my sincerest condolences about the passing of Harry. What can you say about a man who influenced your life as much as he did. He is a man I admire and will never forget him.
You always knew where you stood with him. He was the embodiment of a True Christian! 
He fought the good fight and now is with his Maker.
God Bless, you are in our prayers always.

To the Whitaker family-he hired me as a young man and I will never forget the advice he shared with me about teaching and the role of a leader.  He was simply the best.  May God find peace with your great family.  Blessings, Randy Simmons-Peoria, Il.

Our sincere condolences to your entire family for the passing of Harry.  He was a great man.  He was more than a teacher, coach and counselor to our family.  He was a tremendous friend and mentor.  He had a huge impact on our lives from little league through high school and beyond.  He was "tough" when he needed to be and yet you always knew he cared for you and wanted you to succeed.  Will will carry forward fond memories of him and were blessed to have Mr. (Coach) Whitaker part of our lives.  May he rest in peace!  The West boys (Tom, Bob and Larry)

Arlene,
So sorry to hear about Harry.  Thanksgiving & X-mas dinner won't be the same without him. You are in my thoughts & prayers.  Karen Gustafson

To Arlene and Members of the Whitaker Family,
It was a privilege and pleasure to be a close friend of
your family, and  to look up to Harry as a mentor of mine
as a teacher, administrator, and coach!  We have been
friends and colleagues since 1963, and I owe a lot of
my success in the field of education to his guidance.
May God Bless the Whitaker Family.
 Bob Carruthers

I was sorry to read about the passing of Harry. I was a young grade school player at Bellevue Elementary when I first met him when he coached at Sunnyland. He was a good friend of my coach Ed Herzog therefore I watched as he continued coaching and teaching through the Peoria schools system. He was such a wonderful leader for the young men lucky enough to have him as their coach. He had such a positive impact on so many young kids. May he RIP.
My condolences to his family.

Danny,
So sorry to hear about your father's passing.  He is remembered fondly as a good father and as a giant in the school district.

To Gary and the entire Harry Whitaker family, Rhonda and I send are deepest condolences for the loss of Harry. I remember him as a teacher, coach and Principal at PHS. Hank and Rhonda Cincere, "class of 1969".

This is a sad day he was a great man. He was my principle in high school 69 - 72 and his son was a classmate of ours. He was a fair, wise man with a great sense of humor. Loved him. He will be missed. 

Arlene, we are so sorry to hear about Harry.  He was a wonderful person and friend.  We are all thinking and praying for you and your family.  Norma Perdue, Deb and Rich Resling and Pam and Tom Price

To you Arlene and Harry Whitaker Family a grieving community mourns with you. North Street is the Honorary Harry F. Whitaker Way for all that he did for our children.  The entire Peoria City Council and Mayor extend deepest condolences. 

Arlene, I send my most sincere condolence to you and your family for the loss of Harry.  He was a true gentleman and a carrying individual.  It was a pleasure for me and my late husband Paul to have known him and you.  May God grant you peace and strength through this difficult time.

Our hearts go out to Arlene and family.  Harry was the best boss and the best teacher we have ever known.  Harry and his wisdom will be missed.
Harvey and Marsha Jenkins

OBITUARY

Harry F. Whitaker

June 19, 1927 – November 5, 2017

Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home

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