Betty Whaley

Betty J. Whaley, 76, a resident of rural Albion and wife of Ralph Whaley, died at 9:10 a. m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at the family residence in Noble Township following an extended illness. Mrs. Whaley was born in Angola on December 12, 1932, a daughter of Cecil and Mildred (Morrison) Kime.e She spent her formative years in Williams County, Ohio, and graduated from Montgomery High School in 1948. As a young woman she worked as an executive secretary, and was married on July 28, 1951 in Angola to Ralph Whaley.e The couple spent a brief period in Ohio and in LaGrange before moving to their present home in Noble Township in 1956. A homemaker for most of her adult life, she had also been an Avon representative.e However, the labor of love in her life was operating the Happy Hill Feline Haven-a rescue shelter for cats, and was fondly known as "The Cat Lady." She was a member of the Merriam Christian Chapel, and had served as the church's missions secretary for many years. The surviving relatives include her husband Ralph, to whom she was married for over 57 years; her daughters Linda (Roger) Wirt of Duchesne, Utah and Rita Whaley of Quito, Ecuador;e a sister Donna Vreeland of Reading, Mich; and a brother Victor (Kathy) Yoder of Delton, Mich. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother Larry Yoder. Memorial services will be held at 10 a. m. on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Merriam Christian Chapel with Pastor Terry L. Zolman, officiating. The family will receive friends in the church multi-purpose room immediately following the services. Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco is in charge of the arrangements. e The family requests that memorials be directed to the Merriam Christian Chapel Mission Fund, or to the Noble County Humane Shelter. ********************************* To leave a condolence for the family in Mrs. Whaley's memory, please click on "Condolences" below. . .