Glen Whitaker Obituary

Glen Orland Whitaker, 83, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in his home in Kanosh, Utah surrounded by his loving family. He is the son of Willard H. and Dathel Charlesworth Whitaker, born on January 22, 1942 in Kanosh, Utah, the second of twelve children. Glen learned to work hard along with his parents and siblings, farming, raising thousands of chickens, pouring concrete ditches, and harvesting their own fields and those of their neighbors as well. He married his high school sweetheart, Lilly Quigley, on September 8, 1961 in the St. George Temple.

They settled in Fallon, Nevada where Glen developed a successful custom farming business. He was known for his work ethic, long hours, and tireless generosity. He earned a name for himself and was admired and respected by the farmers he served. When their family outgrew their modest home, Glen and Lilly did the research needed to design and build a beautiful home for their growing family, brick by brick and nail by nail. It was here that they lost their little boy, Gordon, in a tragic accident. They loved the relatives and people in Fallon and made many lasting friendships there.

In 1982 the time came for the family to move back to Kanosh. It was good to be near his family again and back to his roots. Glen’s greatest desire was to raise honorable, hardworking children who loved each other and the Lord. He was deeply committed to his family. He taught his large family to work hard, play hard, and to never shy away from a challenge. He and his sons and grandsons cut thousands of cords of firewood over the years. Many enduring life lessons were taught in those countless hours together.

Glen was involved in missionary work his whole life, a calling he took seriously. He was set apart as a Seventy in 1966 by Ezra Taft Benson. In their later years, Glen and Lilly served two consecutive church missions in the Dominican Republic.

Glen adored his wife, Lilly. Their children grew up surrounded by the safety net of their united front and deep devotion to each other. His last request to his family was to make sure that we take care of Mom.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lilly - Kanosh; children - Melanni (Kevin) Lang - Kanosh, Valerie (Eckart) Anders - Phoenix, AZ, Denise (Christian) Larson - St. George, David (Ginger) Whitaker - Kanosh, Wenda (Steve) Crabb - Kanosh, Willard (Flora) Whitaker - Spanish Fork, Lewis (Diana) Whitaker - Brigham City, Roger (Johanna) Whitaker - Kanosh, and Lorelei (Jason) Robbins - Kaysville. He has 58 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren, and 9 siblings. He was preceded in death by his son, Gordon Glen Whitaker, his parents, two of his brothers, Melvin and John, and two grandchildren, Alyssa and Chandler.

Funeral services for Glen will be conducted Saturday morning June 14th, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Kanosh ward meetinghouse.

There will be viewings on Friday evening, June 13th from 6-8 PM and Saturday morning June 14th from 9:30 - 10:30 AM in the Kanosh ward meetinghouse.