V Robert And Joann Whitaker

V Robert Whitaker (VR), 86, passed away on July 30, 2020, just a few days before the love of his life, Nancy JoAnn Martin Whitaker, 85, who passed on August 3, 2020. He was recently diagnosed with leukemia and she suffered from dementia for several years. They quietly and lovingly battled both diseases together; he being her devoted caregiver for many of those years. Near the end of their lives, they received loving and dignified care from the staff of Ashford Assisted Living and Memory Care.
VR was born in Ogden, Utah on October 2, 1933. He was the middle child of John Edward Whitaker and Lily Francis Warren Whitaker, and the brother of Warren Edward Whitaker and Merrill Warren Whitaker. JoAnn was born in her family home in Sunset, Utah on July 17, 1935. She was the daughter of Archie Hetherington Martin and Nancy Arave Martin, and baby sister to June Arave Martin, Floyd Archie Martin, Fred Dean Martin, Donald William Martin, and Marion Louise Martin Popham.
VR and JoAnn were married on April 22, 1953, in the Salt Lake Temple. Soon after their marriage, VR was drafted into the Army during the Korean conflict, where he served two years in the Pentagon as a programmer analyst. They soon started their family, which consists of Robert Martin Whitaker (Kristie), John Martin Whitaker, Lynn Martin Whitaker, Chris Martin Whitaker (Kathy), VeeAnn Whitaker Ely (Marty), and Greg Martin Whitaker (Tina). Later, VR worked as a programmer analyst for Hercules Powder Corporation and then for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while JoAnn made a comfortable home for their growing family. She later worked for Zions First National Bank. She loved cooking, canning, playing the organ, and painting ceramics (especially with her daughter VeeAnn). JoAnn was also patient and kind as she lovingly put up with all the antics and pranks five boys could muster! VR enjoyed spending time playing sports and working in the garden, producing the fruits and vegetables JoAnn would preserve.
Both were faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including 55 years as members of the Jordan North 2nd Ward. They supported each other in many callings throughout their marriage. They particularly loved being ordinance workers in the Jordan River Temple.
They were preceded in death by their parents, their third son Lynn, VR’s brother Merrill, JoAnn’s brothers June, Floyd, Fred, and Donald. They are survived by their children Robert, John, Chris, VeeAnn, and Greg; as well as his brother Warren, her sister Marion, and many nieces and nephews. VR and JoAnn were the loving grandparents to 23 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
A public viewing for VR and JoAnn will be held Thursday, August 6, 2020, from 6:00-8:00pm at Memorial Redwood Mortuary, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah. Due to the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, their lives will be celebrated during a private family viewing and gathering at 9:00am on Friday, August 7, 2020. They will be interred at the Memorial Redwood Cemetery following the service.
Masks are mandatory at all viewing and funeral services and social distancing will be enforced.
Memorial Mortuaries and Cemeteries is offering livestreaming of the services.
Joining by computer
• Go to zoom.us in any internet browser
• Click “Join Meeting”
• Enter the meeting ID – 8019693456
• A box will open saying “https://zoom.us wants to open this application”. Click “Open Zoom”
• Click “Join with Computer Audio”
• Click “Mute” in the bottom left hand corner so that your audio does not interrupt the funeral services
Joining by phone or iPad
• Download the Zoom app
• Open the app and select “Join a Meeting”
• Enter the meeting ID – 8019693456
• Select “Join without Audio”
• Select “Call using Internet Audio”
• Select “Mute” in the bottom left hand corner so that your audio does not interrupt the funeral service
Service Information
Viewing August 6, 2020 at 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Memorial Redwood Mortuary and Cemetery 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah 84123





Private Family Funeral Service
August 7, 2020 at 10:00 AM
Memorial Redwood Mortuary, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah 84123