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Russell E. "Russ" Whittaker Jr., 79, of Noblesville, Ind., passed away Jan. 6, 2023. Russ was born in Baltimore, Md., son of the late Russell E. Sr. and Ellen Whittaker.
Surviving are his wife of nearly 58 years, Jo; a daughter, Jennifer J. (Matt) Etchemendy; grandchildren, Russell (Kayla) Whittaker IV and Christopher Etchemendy; great-grandsons, Grayson and Ryland Whittaker; and brothers, Deane and Neil Whittaker.
He was preceded in death by a son, Russell E. "Rusty" Whittaker III; and sister, Eleanor "Cookie" Nierle.
Russ was a 1961 graduate of Beccaria Coalport Irvona High School, Coalport, and a 1965 graduate of California State College, California, Pa.
He began his career as an industrial arts teacher, where he worked for four years at Tyrone High School. He later worked for Fuellgraf Electric Co., Butler, as a project manager, where he retired in 2018.
Russ was a HAM radio operator and a member of the American Radio Relay League. He served as a member of the Glendale Junior/Senior School Board in Flinton.
He enjoyed target shooting, was an avid hunter and member of the National Rifle Association.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Blair Memorial Park, 3234 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, at the Chapel Mausoleum. A funeral reception luncheon will immediately follow at Park Hills Golf Club, 219 Highland Terrace, Altoona.
Arrangements are by Flanner Buchanan-Hamilton Memorial Park, Noblesville, IN 46062.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be directed to The Little Red Door Cancer Agency, 1801 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, in the name of Russell E. Whittaker Jr. (www.littlereddoor.org/donate).
Please visit www.flannerbuchanan.com to sign the online guest register.