Suzanne Sue Whitaker

Suzanne Whitaker, 72, of Arcadia, FL passed away July 25, 2018 after a two-year battle with ALS. Born August 7, 1945 in Cleveland, OH, Sue, as she liked to be called, was raised in Chardin, OH by her adoptive parents Elmer and Josephine Krejchi. In her junior high and high school years, Sue loved dancing, especially tap and ballet. She also loved the beauty pageant scene. Sue was the 1963 Chardin Maple Festival Queen and the following year being crowned Miss Cuyahoga County 1964. In the early 1970s, Sue moved to the Springfield, OH area and was employed for 20 years at Springview Developmental Center where she made many lasting friends. After retiring, Sue and her husband moved to Arcadia, FL to spend their golden years, making many friends in that time. Sue loved shopping at the Red Barn Flea Market and spending many long days at Siesta Key Beach. Sue will be sadly missed by her husband of 29 years, John Whitaker; son, Douglas (Stephanie) Irick; grandchildren, Tyler, Troy, and Savannah; step-son Jay (Carrie) Whitaker; step-grandchildren, Chelsie (Dalton) Shipley, Kaleigh, and Chloee-Jo; brothers, Richard Taylor, Ronnie Krejchi, and Dennis Krejchi. Sue will also be greatly missed by her BFF, Anna-Marie Day, and Geraldine Day of Springfield, OH; Rick and Mary-Ellen Wilson of Gulfport, FL; Linda, Gene, and Travis Barkley of Arcadia, FL; also, the Springfield Gang: Butch and Pat Freeman, Gary and Marsha Jenkins, and Bob and Donna Hutchinson. Sue was preceded in death by her parents; birth mother, Nicolette Perissano; and very special friends Kenny and Edna Kirby. The family will receive friends 10:00-11:00 a.m. Friday, August 3, 2018 at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services with the service in celebration of Sues life beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Sarasota National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the ALS Assoc. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.LTaylorfuneral.com and sign the online guest book. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.