Kenneth “Raymond” Whiteley
Kenneth “Raymond” Whiteley, 74, of Whipple , Ohio , died at 5:28 a.m., Monday, October 5, 2009, at Marietta Memorial Hospital . He was surrounded by his loving family.
Raymond was born July 28, 1935, in Payette , Idaho , to Kenneth D. Whiteley and Mary Alice McGinnis, a Native American from the Shoshone tribe. He was raised in Oregon before moving to the Whipple area in 1950. He graduated from Salem-Liberty High School , in Lower Salem , Ohio , in 1953.
Over the years he had worked as a commercial and industrial painter for Paul Erb Painting, Vadakin, Inc., and Brown’s Excavating, Inc. In 1997, he retired from the Parkersburg Painters Union Local 1144 after 34 years of service.
He was also a lifetime farmer, working alongside his two sons, Mark and Michael, and grandson, Mikey, on his farms in the Whipple area.
Raymond was a parishioner of St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Harrietsville, and later at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marietta .
He is survived by his wife of nearly 52 years, Helen Leitner Whiteley, whom he married on November 16, 1957. He is survived by seven children, Mark (Trish) Whiteley of Whipple, Mary Whiteley of Marietta, Melinda (Rocky) Walters of Ellenboro, WV, Michael (Lisa) Whiteley of Whipple, Mia (Mike) Morrison of Marietta, Matthew (Justina) Whiteley of Springboro, and Mack Whiteley of Jacksonville, Florida.
He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Kenny (Pam) Whiteley of Lancaster, Malisa (Eric) Whiteley-Burris of Whipple, Eric Whiteley of Marietta, Ivony Whiteley Armel of Parkersburg, Leigh Ann (Freddy) Hackney of Grundy, VA, Cassi Walters of Ellenboro, WV, Samantha and Mikey Whiteley of Whipple, Lindsay and Taylor Morrison of Marietta, and Celeste and Daniel Whiteley of Springboro; and three great-grandchildren, Hunter Simers, Parker Burris and Elle Hackney.
He is survived by one sister, Maudy (Claude) Sexton of Halfway, Oregon .
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Billie Powers; and many beloved extended family members.
Raymond was devoted to his pets, Buddy, who he sadly lost last year, and Buster. He would never call them dogs, they were his “boys”.
More than anything in this world, Raymond loved his family. He was happiest when his children and grandchildren were at his home for Sunday dinners, holidays and family celebrations.
When someone would ask Raymond what was his greatest accomplishment in life, he would say his title was not a fancy one but a great one, the title of “father”.
McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will begin at 2:00 on Tuesday. The family will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-9:00. A wake service will be held on Wednesday at 3:00. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 on Thursday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marietta . Burial will follow at Salem Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Raymond’s honor may be made to the Salem Township Fire Department, Fearing Township Fire Department, or the Tri-County Food Pantry in Lower Salem.