Joseph T. Whitaker Jr.

Joseph T. Whitaker Jr., 73, of Mahanoy City, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at St. Luke’s Carbon Campus – Lehighton.

Born in Shenandoah on November 19, 1952, he was the son of the late Joseph T. and Mary B. (Strause) Whitaker.

Joseph was a 1971 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School and then Villanova University in 1975 where he graduated cum laude.

He was employed for 25 years as a special agent with the United States Secret Service.  His assignments in Washington D.C. included the Presidential Protective Division during the Carter and Reagan administrations.  He retired as the resident agent in Scranton, Pa.

Upon retirement, he was employed by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, as a special agent criminal investigator.  He was employed for a total of 43 years in federal law enforcement.

Besides his parents, Joseph was preceded by his wife, Barbara Kosik Whitaker and his sister, Kathleen Daniels.

He is survived by his sister, Ashie Parker of Barnesville along with several cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 6th at 11am in St. Teresa of Calcutta Church, Mahanoy City and will be celebrated by Fr. Kevin Gallagher.  Visitation will be held prior to Mass from 10 to 11am in the church.  Burial will be at the convenience of the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joseph’s memory may be made to either:  St. Teresa of Calcutta Church or the Mahanoy City Public Library.

Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, Shenandoah are entrusted with the arrangements with the assistance of James Haughney Jr.

To offer condolences, please visit: www.oravitzhomeforfunerals.com

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