Ralph Whaley: 1930 – 2011
Ralph Whaley, 80, a resident of rural Albion, passed away at 9:42 a. m. on Saturday, February 26, 2011, at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.
Mr. Whaley was born on March 22, 1930 in Toledo, Ohio, and spent his formative years there. As a young man he served with the U. S. Army, and later reenlisted in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.
On July 28, 1951 he was married in Angola to Betty J. Kime. He spent most of his adult years in Noble Township near Merriam. For many years he worked as a heavy equipment mechanic. He later went into management and later became an independent businessman. He had co-owned and operated Preferred Companies since 1992, where he worked as a consultant.
An active member of the Merriam Christian Chapel, he had served his church in a variety of capacities, including being a deacon and Sunday School teacher. In his leisure time he enjoyed motorcycle trips with his wife and assisted her in founding the Fort Wayne Cat Fanciers Association. He greatly enjoyed going to steam engine shows and was an avid reader.
Mrs. Whaley preceded him in death on February 25, 2009.
The surviving relatives include his daughters Linda (Roger) Wirt of Duchesne, Utah and Rita Whaley of Quito, Ecuador; a brother Burton (Gerrie) Paulson of Toledo; and a sister Barbara (Robert) Sanders of Fremont.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister Phyliss Kenyon.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a. m. on Saturday, March 5, 2011, at the Merriam Christian Chapel with Pastor Terry L. Zolman, officiating.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service Saturday morning and immediately following the memorial service in the church multi-purpose room.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Merriam Christian Chapel Missions Fund, 3895 South U. S. 33, Albion, IN 46701.
Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco is in charge of the arrangements.
To leave an online condolence for the family in Mr. Whaley’s memory, please click on “Condolences” below. . .
February 28th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Dear Linda and Rita – Please accept our sincere sympathy at the loss of your father. As you have shared his life’s accomplishments with us, we have been truly astounded by all of his interests and talents. Please rest in the knowledge that we will be here for you and your family now. . .and in the days ahead.
With every good wish,
Greg & Jeanine Childs and Staff
March 3rd, 2011 at 8:01 am
We are in Florida and just learned of Ralph passing, wanted you to know we are thinking about all of you. Your in our thoughts and prayers. I have always enjoyed Ralph and working with him, he is a great man.
Peace Be With You,
Mary & Tony R. Black
March 4th, 2011 at 7:58 am
I am so sorry to hear about Ralph. He was my mentor, and good friend. Everything I am today, I owe to him. I am so glad I was able to spend most of an entire day with him last summer, catching up and listening to his stories. Working for him was an education in itself.
March 4th, 2011 at 9:20 am
I have been honored to have known Ralph. His broad smile brightened every room. I have always been impressed how well informed on so many topics Ralph was. Ralph was a true patriot with a deep love for our country and the blessing of enjoying its many beauties. I always enjoyed our “chairside” chats defining and then solving our countries political problems. If only they would listen. With a big laugh. The most inspirational trait of Ralph’s was his laser focus on being a Christian. On many occasion his discussion could have easily been a sermon. He knew the Lord is in control. A great man who will be missed on Earth but a fellow Christian that I anticipate along with many others rejoicing in Heaven. My last e-mail from Ralph was 1-26-11
May the Lord surround you in HIS love.
Russ Gilliom
March 5th, 2011 at 9:37 am
Dear Linda and Rita:
We are so sorry that we can not be with you at your father’s service. Jean had open-heart surgery a week ago and she is recovering at home. I have an illness which I would not want to expose you to. Also I need to stay close to Jean because she does things that cause her problems. Yesterday she stooped down and could not get back up.
I really appreciated knowing your father and mother even though it was just briefly as you attended CN.
May God give you both peace.
Dan and Jean Replogle
March 5th, 2011 at 10:58 am
Rita and Linda,
We had every intention to join you at the church today (Sat) but issues with De’s mom we are not able to do so. We are very sorry for your loss but also rejoice with you that Ralph is where he most wants to be. He touched many lives and had a fantastic witness for his Lord. God bless you and give you peace.
Sincerely
Keith and Deidre Bair
March 5th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Dear Rita & Linda,
Elaine & I extend our sympathy to both of you. You have been in our prayers since we heard that your Dad was promoted to Heaven. Even though we can rejoice in knowing that he is with the Lord and with Betty there is still grief for the loss here on this earth. We will keep you in our prayers as the Lord brings you to our memory. We wish we could have been there today to give each of you a big hug. We are out of state for a few weeks. We certainly will miss seeing Ralph in church.
Your Friends,
Nick & Elaine Zolman
March 8th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Dear Family:
Ralph once took this young pastor aside and offered him some sound advice. I have never forgot what Ralph told me that day: “If God calls then God will provide and when God provides He will lead. All you must do is trust and follow!” Ralph was and is still a good man. I am envious of the fact that he has seen the face of my Lord and that He is now engaged in coversation with and the wiorship of Jesus Christ. Be comforted! He is with Jesus!
March 10th, 2011 at 6:41 am
Dear Rita & Linda:
May the Lord give you comfort & peace as you go through this time of loss. I’ve been thinking of and praying for you since Mom told me your dad had taken a turn for the worse.
Sincerely,
Laurie (Spear) Gatton
March 21st, 2011 at 9:05 am
Dear Linda & Rita,
My sympathy to both of you and the rest of the family. I am sorry for your loss but rejoice that your father is now in Heaven. He brought so much to Merriam Christian Chapel and the lives of those that grew up in the church.
May God bless and comfort you. I know that you miss both of your parents and it is sad to see them leave this earth but so reassuring to know that they are with the Lord.
Sue (Buffenbarger) McKinney