Betty Jo (Hatcher) Whitaker

Betty Jo Whitaker, age 96, of Monroe, passed away peacefully at home on May 13, 2026.

Born on January 13, 1930, in Monroe, Michigan, Betty was the daughter of the late Gilbert G. and Lillian F. (Cordrey) Hatcher. Betty attended Monroe High School, graduating with the class of 1948.  She married Dennis T. Whitaker, on July 2, 1949, in Monroe. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and hard work.

Betty was employed at K-Mart in Customer Service when it first opened in 1966 and retired in 1991. She was known for her strong work ethic, caring nature, and devotion to those she loved. Betty also enjoyed spending time with her family and blessing them with her many sewing, crocheting, and crafting talents. Giving to her family and others brought Betty immense pride and joy.

She is survived by her son, David (Linda) Whitaker of Monroe; her daughters, Karen (Terry) Durocher of Monroe, Cheryl (Thomas) Benitez-Metcalf of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and Lori (John) Floering of Toledo, Ohio; her brother, Gilbert Roland (Marilyn) Hatcher of Temperance; seven step-siblings: Larry Kiefer, Dorothy Dusseau, Patty (Clay) Berry, Janet (Curt) Faunce, Paula Doster, Cindy (John) Riley, Joyce Kiefer, and nine grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis T. Whitaker on November 14, 2012; her parents; her brothers, Garwood, Jack, and Harold Hatcher; her sister, Philema; her step-mother, Gwendolyn Hatcher; and step-brother, Dennis Foster.

Her family will remember her for her quiet strength, her cooking, sewing, crocheting and crafting talents, kindness, and unwavering love for others.

Friends and family may visit from 2:00 p.m. until services celebrating her life begin at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, May 17, 2026 at Rupp Funeral Home, 2345 South Custer Road, Monroe, Michigan 48161. Deacon Mike Stewart will officiate. She will be entombed at Roselawn Memorial Park, LaSalle, on May 18, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

Betty’s family thanks Heartland Hospice for all their tender care and support during the last year.

Memorial contributions in Betty’s memory are suggested to the American Heart Association.    

Online condolences to the family may be sent by visiting www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com.