June Whittaker

June 21, 1920 - August 21, 2020

June Whittaker, 100, of Elk Rapids passed away at her home on August 21, 2020 with her family by her side. June was born on June 21, 1920 in Muskegon to the late Ralph H. and Wadea (Nafe) Cederquist. June married the love of her life, James H. Whittaker Jr. on September 19, 1941 in St. Johns. They were childhood sweethearts and united in marriage while Jim was on leave from the service. Following his honorable discharge they moved from St. Johns to Higgins Lake. Together they owned and operated the Whittaker Shady Grove Resort and Whittaker Realty Company for 23 years. They were well known for their hospitality and made a lot of life long friends at the resort whom June loved dearly. After retirement, Jim and June moved to Elk Rapids where they have resided for the last 40 years. She was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids. She loved her church family and greatly appreciated their continued kindness and friendship in her later years. Jim and June traveled extensively after retirement and wintered at their home in Sedona, Arizona. June will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She truly was a ray of light to all she met. June joins her beloved husband Jim in Heaven who preceded her in death, along with her son David James and brothers Jack (Shirley) and David Cederquist. June is survived by her daughter Sue (Robert) Vor Broker; grandchildren Cynthia (Alan) Dessy, Kurt (Mallory) Vor Broker, Scott Whittaker, Deborah (Ken) Camp and Keith (Briana) Whittaker; great grandchildren Lauren, Patrick, Benjamin, Brighton, Cielle, and Bobby; and sister Mary Alice (Bob) Smith. Graveside services for the family will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Roscommon on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 11:00 am. A memorial service and celebration of June's life will be held in June of 2021. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in Elk Rapids or to a charity of your choice.