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Obit For Irvin Forrest Whittaker
Headline COL. WHITTAKER, ‘GREASY CREEK’ WRITER IS DEAD
Passed Away at Washburn Friday Following An Extended Illness
Text The final chapter in the life of the noted “Greasy Creek Mix-ups” writer, Col Irwin Whittaker, was written last Friday at Washburn, when the aged and original character passed away.

Col. Whittaker, for many years entertained the Democrat’s many readers with his splendid articles in our paper, and we have never had a correspondent that attracted so much interest among our readers as this splendid character.

The Colonel was born in Ohio and came to this section 40 years ago. Leaving his native state, he located at Green Forest, Ark., where he lived a short time, moving to the Greasy Creek country, west of Washburn.

Col. Whittaker was a booster in every respect. His many complimentary remarks to us from all parts of the country and interested in the Greasy Creek country. In all his writings in our paper, not one time did the Colonel ever write one harmful word against any person. He did much to boost and advertise the Washburn country.

This splendid man was about 80 years old and had lived at the near Washburn about 40 years, his wife preceding him in death several years ago, since which time he made his home with another family in Washburn. He was a religious and good man, never saying anything slanderous of his fellow man. He saw some good in everyone.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon after which the remains were laid to rest in the Washburn Prairie cemetery.

Col. Whittaker had many friends in this section. He was well liked and every one enjoyed conversing with him. He was a well read man and could always hold his own on any subject.
Research Note: Barry Co Web Site Washburn Prairie Cemetery listed Name as Irvin F. Whitaker (Date of Death Oct. 24, 1930, Washburn, Barry Co., MO) wife as Caroline (Elzey) Whitaker.

The newspaper that he wrote for was the Cassville Democrat, Cassville MO.

Son of Stephen Whitaker and Sarah Ann Irvin. He married Caroline Elzey on Oct. 1, 1874 in Clinton Co., OH. His death certificate gives very little information. He was a farmer, widowed and his parents names were not given, no birth date is given but he was age 78. C. T. Hickman, Washburn, MO, was the informant. His death certificate is indexed by the SOS web site as Owen Whitaker.
Newspaper Cassville Democrat - probably
Date Oct. 1930
Death Cert Link Death Certificate
Resource Effie Erwin Atwell's Scrapbook
Submitted by Barbara Erwin