Columbus, OH — Lewis W. Whitaker Jr., 90, of Schnecksville, Pa., died April 14, 2021, in his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was the husband of Kathleen A. (Reaser) to whom he was married 39 years this past Sept. 18.

Lewis W. Whitaker Jr., 90, of Schnecksville, Pa., died April 14, 2021.

Born in Narvon, Lancaster County, Feb. 14, 1931, he was the son of the late Lewis W. Whitaker Sr. and Sarah (Frankhouser) Martin. He was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Whitaker Roofing & Siding Inc. in Allentown from 1969–1996.

He was a past president of Walnutport Beagle Club and a member of the former Blue Ridge Country Club, Palmerton.

Mr. Whitaker was a member of Union Evangelical Lutheran Church, Schnecksville.

He was an avid “big game” hunter and owned several Standardbreds. He had been a harness racing fan for many years, after claiming his first horse 11 years ago. Soon after, Mr. Whitaker purchased Scirocco Farm and raced several top horses with the farm surname, along with C’mon Lew W ($60,941) and Rock Party ($74,763). His stable star is the trotter Scirocco Rob, who recently set a lifetime best of 1:50.3 at The Meadowlands and has earned $559,104 to date.

In addition to his wife, Kathleen, he is survived by his children, Cynthia G. (Dennis) Kneisley and Lewis W. III; stepchildren, Robert (Ardeth) Schopf, William (Karen) Schopf, Mark Niess and Michael Niess; sister, Patricia Walters; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren; He was preceded in death by a son, Donald A.

A memorial service will be held at a later date due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc. in Schnecksville is in charge of arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be recorded at www.heintzelmancares.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Union Evangelical Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.