Lloyd Whiteaker

Lloyd Whiteaker Lloyd Frank Whiteaker August 3, 1919 October 2, 2018 Lloyd Whiteaker passed away on October 2, 2018 at the age of 99 surrounded by family in his farm home that borders the Willamette River South East of Springfield, Oregon. He was born in Millard, Nebraska on August 3, 1919 to parents Felix S. Whiteaker and Henrietta (Prinz) Whiteaker. He spent his childhood years on the family farms in both western (dustbowl era) and eastern Nebraska. During his teens, Lloyd moved from Nebraska with his parents to Eugene, Oregon. While attending Eugene High, Lloyd met Ireta Chase. Lloyd and Ireta were married in Eugene at the First Baptist Church on April 20, 1943. Lloyd trained to become a pilot at, what was then, the Army Air Base in Redmond, Oregon and served in the Army Air Core during the early phases of WWII. Lloyd was discharged from service, when too many pilots had been trained but was redrafted again during WWII as an air craft mechanic and eventually served in the Japan occupation forces. After WWII, Lloyd begain farming with Ireta's parents Truman and Lola Chase on Country Club Rd in Eugene. The Chase-Whiteaker family farm raised pole beans, table beets, hazelnuts and for a while broiler chickens. In 1955, Lloyd and Ireta purchased the current family farm on Jasper Rd in Springfield, Oregon where they raised peppermint, pole beans (which later became bush beans), table beets and hazelnuts. Lloyd had a passion for working many hours to make his farm look like a park and his farm equipment washed and appearing recently purchased. He taught and mentored many young farm hands over the years and many remained lifelong family friends. Lloyd was proceeded in death by his wife Ireta and his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his son Gary Whiteaker of Redmond, Oregon, daughter Reesa Wills of Springfield, Oregon five grandchildren Kevin Whiteaker of Colorado, Rand Whiteaker, Shannon Popson, Katrina Whiteaker Gregory all of California, Larissa Carpenter of Oregon and seven great grandchildren. Please join the family for a grave side service Friday October 26, 2018 1 PM at Springfield Memorial Gardens, 7305 Main St. Springfield, Oregon