MOUND VALLEY — Lois M. Whitaker, 96, of Mound Valley passed away the morning of Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Advena Living of Cherryvale.
Lois Marie McNeal was born on May 14, 1929, to Ira and Beatrice (Harbour) McNeal in Lafontaine. As a young girl, she grew up and attended school in Lafontaine.
On Dec. 6, 1947, Lois married Orby Whitaker in Fredonia. While Orby served in the United States Air Force, the family moved to many different Air Force bases around the country. In 1994, the family settled in Mound Valley, where Lois has lived since.
Lois was a member of the Mound Valley United Methodist Church. She was also a long-time volunteer for the American Red Cross.
Her main passion in life was her family. A talented seamstress and quilter, Lois made a quilt for all of her family and put special care into each of the seven grandchildren’s quilts. She also enjoyed being outdoors, especially going fishing and boating with her husband, Orby. She was also an excellent outdoor cook.
Survivors include two sons, Dave Franklin Whitaker and his wife, Mary, of Mound Valley and Marvin Lee Whitaker and his wife, Barbara, of Mound Valley; seven grandchildren, Chris Whitaker of Parsons, Steven Whitaker and his wife, Renea, of Mound Valley, Stacey Leech and her husband, Jim, of Parsons, Sherry Whitaker of Webb City, Missouri, Samantha Mathis of Parsons, Cody Whitaker of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Chad Whitaker and his wife, Danae, of Parsons; 17 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Anna May Modesitt and her husband, Merle, of Thayer; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Orby Whitaker, on July 29, 2010; a son, Wayne Whitaker, on June 3, 2018; her brother, Roland McNeal; and three sisters, Betty Whitaker, Erma P. Pearce and Norma Taylor.
A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the Mound Valley Cemetery in Mound Valley.
The family suggests memorials to the American Red Cross. These may be left at or sent to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS, 67357.
Leave online condolences at www.forbeshoffman.com.
