Lawrence "Larry" Whitaker Sr. was born July 17, 1948 to Edgar and Adeline (nee Lee) Whitaker and passed away February 7, 2018 at the age of 69. Larry was a US Air Force Veteran and loved racing stock cars, gardening, bird watching, wood working and taking family vacations to the beach. Larry retired with over 30 years of service from Kroger. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 50 years, Willa (nee Davis) Whitaker; children, Larry (Steve Howe) Whitaker Jr and Shannon (Jeff) Groendyke; grandchildren, Mindy (Steve) Wehr, Anna Groendyke, Max Groendyke; a great grandson, Ethan Newman; a brother, Rodney (Jane) Whitaker; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 6-8 PM on Monday February 12, 2018 at the Tufts Schildmeyer Family Funeral Home, 120 W. Main St. Blanchester, OH 45107, where services will be held on Tuesday at 1 PM. Interment Blanchester I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Family suggests memorial contributions be directed to Vitas Hospice, 11500 Northlake Dr. Ste, 400 Cincinnati, Oh 45249. Funeral Home: Tufts Schildmeyer Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Blanchester 120 W. Main St. Blanchester, OH US 45107