'Sheriff Wake' was the 8th of 10 Children born to 'Squire' Robert M. Whitaker and Rebecca (Wimer). On 1 Jan 1885 he married Sarah Olive 'Ollie' Wiley. To this union were born seven children: Harvey F., Ruth, J.D., Laura 'Icy', Lyida, Robert Wiley and Josiah 'Si'. Two of the boys; Harvey and J.D. died in childhood. He lost his wife tragically 1904, due to an accidental fire. I have no record of him remarrying. He raised their five young children alone while performing his duties as Sheriff.

His Obit:
2012 Obit fm Connie Whitaker-Ames and Audrey Fern Whitaker-Cluster:
WAKE WHITAKER DIED SATURDAY
R.W. Whitaker, well known pioneer resident of Newark Township, KS died Saturday morning at 9 o'clock at Wilson County Nursing Home at Fredonia, KS. Death was caused by paralysis and he had been ill since last July.
Robert Wakefield Whitaker, son of Robert and Rebecca Wimer Whitaker, was born in Ross County, OH, October 24, 1860 and was 80 years, 3 months and 21 days of age at his death. He came to the vicinity of Neodesha in 1868. he was married to Miss Olive Wiley in Newark Township on January 1. 1885. He had been a farmer all his life. He took a keen interest in public affairs, was a staunch Republican and had served as sheriff of Wilson County for two terms over forty years ago and had held township offices. he was a good neighbor and enjoyed nothing better than mingling with his friends. The last few years he resided in Neodesha and his familiar figure on our streets will be missed.
Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. C.E. Land, of Kansas City, KS; Mrs. George Brening, Burns, KS; Mrs. C.E. Kilgore, Manter, KS and Mrs. E.H. Brawdy of Tuxford, Canada, two sons, Robert Whitaker of Messena, IA and J.D. Whitaker of Thayer; 23 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and on brother C.V. Whitaker of Los Angeles, CA.
Mrs. Whitaker died July 26, 1904, and two children had also preceded their father in death.
Funeral services for Mr. Whitaker were held Monday afternoon at 2:30 from the Loran Fawcett Funeral Home. The Rev. Emil J. Carlson, pastor of the Baptist Church, conducted the services and the hymnal numbers, (Saved by Grace,) and (City Four-square,) were sung by Mrs. C.O. Purkaple and Mrs. Lon Bynum, accompanied by Mrs. Guy Murphy.
Interment was made in Star Cemetery northeast of Neodesha and casket bearers were Guy Tuttle, Nat Anderson, Gus Tuttle, J.F. Kilgore, Gid Tuttle and O.E. Compton.
Out-of-town relatives here to attend the services were: Mr. & Mrs. C.E. Land, Kansas City, KS; Mr. & Mrs. George Brening of Burns, KS; Mrs. C.E. Kilgore Manter, KS; Mr. & Mrs. Robert Whitaker Messena, IA; Mr. & Mrs. J.D. Whitaker, Thayer, KS.

published in: NEODESHA REGISTER
Thursday, February 20, 1941
Death: February 15, 1941
Interment: February 17, 1941