Paul Maynard "Ratchet" Whittaker

RICHMOND, Ind. – Paul Maynard “Ratchet” Whittaker, age 89, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at Reid Health. Born April 26, 1930, in Richmond, Indiana, to Merritt Lee and Gertrude Margaret Blue Whittaker, Paul was a life-long resident of Wayne County, Indiana. He was a 1948 graduate of Centerville High School. Paul served in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean War. He retired from Johns Manville in 1992 after 15 years of service and formerly worked at Hill Floral Products Company, Crosley/AVCO for 25 years, Whitey’s Machine Shop, Wayne Works, Oberle & Associates, Earlham College for seven years, and Carquest Auto Parts. Paul was a member of American Legion Howard Thomas Post #315 and VFW Kirk-Little Post 1108 and was a former president, business manager, and secretary of Local 1127 IBEW. He also belonged to the Richmond Senior Community Center and Centerville-Abington Senior Center. Paul was an active volunteer in the community and was an avid supporter of Genesis of YWCA, Hope House, and Youth As Resources. He enjoyed dancing and was known as “Richmond’s Fred Astaire”, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and activities, and being around the water, including swimming and boating. Survivors include his daughters, Karen Sue (Doug) McKinley of Maineville, Ohio, and Judith Kay (Mike) Miller of Richmond; four beautiful grandchildren, Susan Elizabeth McKinley, Michael Paul McKinley, Trevor Michael Miller, and Cassandra Nicole Miller; nieces and nephews, including twins Kyle (Ally) Gallagher and Kraig (Lauren) Gallagher, both of Fishers, Indiana; and many friends, including Rosemary Sheets, Bob Hall, and Steve Miller, all of Richmond. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Donna J. Juerling Whittaker, who died January 25, 2013; parents; brother, Richard L. “Tex” Whittaker; and niece, Carol Charles-Gallagher. Visitation for Paul Maynard “Ratchet” Whittaker will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 6, 2019, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 6, 2019, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Chaplain Rick Alvey officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery with military honors provided by the Wayne County Honor Guard. In honor of their dad, the family would like everyone to wear bright colors. Memorial contributions may be made to: Genesis of YWCA, P.O. Box 2430, Richmond, IN 47375; Hope House, P.O. Box 1828, Richmond, IN 47375; or Youth As Resources, P.O. Box 94, Richmond, IN 47375. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Paul Maynard "Ratchet" Whittaker

April 26, 1930 - July 2, 2019