Perry Whitaker, age 75, of Monroe unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.  He was born on November 3, 1948 the son of Gordon and Eileen (Brandt) Whitaker in Hazel Green.  His early years were marked by the loss of his father when he was just three years old. His mother later remarried Maurice Wedig, who took on the role of raising Perry as his own.  Perry graduated from Monroe High School in 1966, then went on to attend Janesville Auto Mechanic School.  On August 30, 1969, he married the love of his life Kathy Lindsay at St. Victor's Catholic Church.

Perry worked as a mechanic at Marty Ripp Chevrolet, Huber Brewery in Monroe for 25 years, and New Glarus Brewery for 25 years until his retirement in January 2023.  He was an avid deer and elk hunter, a hobby that took him to Colorado for over 30 years. His love for the outdoors was matched by his enthusiasm for cars. Perry spent countless hours working on cars, attending car shows, and enjoying tractor pulls. He also helped with cars on the square and enjoyed going to the casino.  Perry was a member of St. Victor’s Catholic Church.  Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family seeing his brothers nearly every day; he was also an amazing grandpa who loved his grandchildren unconditionally. 

Perry is survived by his wife, Kathy; children, Craig Whitaker and Carla Mann; grandchildren, Jack and Anna Mann all of Monroe; siblings, Mick (Madonna) Whitaker of Potosi, WI, Randy (Donna) Wedig of Freeport, IL, Connie (Wayne) Nickerson of Friendship, WI, Jeanette Sullivan of Evansville, WI, Bart Wedig of Manchester, NH, Barbara (Fred) Wolfe of South Wayne, WI, Dawn Treganza of Detroit, MI, Peggy (Tom) Klemm of Monroe WI, Cyndi (Tim) Daniels of Dublin, OH, Maureen (Brad) Kufalk of Beaver Dam, WI, Greg (Alice) Wedig of Monroe, WI, Tim (Vickie) Wedig of McConnell, IL, Todd (Sharon) Wedig of Juda, WI, Brad (Mona) Wedig of Rockton, IL, Troy Wedig of Mukwonago, WI, and Robert Wedig of Monroe, WI.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon Whitaker and Eileen and Maurice Wedig.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Clare of Assisi Parish at St. Victor’s Catholic Church with Father Dave Carrano.  Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2023 from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM at SHRINER HAGER GOHLKE Funeral Home.  Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.