MOUND VALLEY — Orby F. Whitaker, 83, of Mound Valley died at 12:37 p.m. Thursday, July 29, 2010, at his home. He had been in failing health.

He was born on Feb. 12, 1927, at Hallowell to Harvey and Hazel (Ping) Whitaker. He grew up on the family farm in the Neodesha and Thayer area, where he attended country schools.

He held various jobs before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1950 at age 25. He was stationed at various Air Force bases over the years, including tours of duty during the Korean War and Vietnam War. He retired and was honorably discharged in 1971.

He taught diesel engine repair at Oklahoma Technical College in Okmulgee and at Tri-County Technical College at Bartlesville. He also operated a small engine repair business. He moved to the Southeast Kansas area when he taught at Bartlesville, eventually retiring and moving to Mound Valley.

He married Lois Marie McNeal on Dec. 6, 1947, at Fredonia. She survives of the home.

He enjoyed his family, boating, fishing, woodworking and playing horseshoes and washers. He was always willing to tell anyone how to fix motors of all types. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Mound Valley.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Wayne Whitaker, Dave Whitaker and his wife, Mary, and Marvin Whitaker and his wife, Barbara, all of Mound Valley; seven grandchildren, Chris Whitaker and his wife, Kimberly, Steven Whitaker and his wife, Renea, Stacy Leech and her husband, Jim, Sherry Whitaker, all of Parsons, Samantha Mathis and her husband, Jake, of Galesburg, Cody Whitaker of Bartlesville, Okla., and Chad Whitaker of Mound Valley; 13 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Sullivan of Wheatland, Calif.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Floyd, Jay, and Lewis Whitaker; and a sister, Velma Havelin.

The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church at Mound Valley. Burial will follow in the Mound Valley Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Whiteman Air Force Base Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday evening.

Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church at Mound Valley or Hospice Care of Kansas and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneral services.com.