Bernard Whaley

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. e 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.e He spent most of his adult years in Noble Township near Merriam.e e For many years he worked as a heavy equipment mechanic.e He later went into management and later became an independent businessman.e 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 churche in a variety of capacities, including being a deacon and Sunday School teacher.e In his leisure time he enjoyed motorcycle trips with his wife and assisted her in founding the Fort Wayne Cat Fanciers Association.e 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, INe 46701. Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco is in charge of the arrangements.