“I am what I am, and that's all that I am.” ― Popeye the Sailor Man.
The quote embraced and lived by Jay Whisler, born Charles Jay Whisler on August 14, 1957 in Auburn Nebraska. After living life as he “am”, Jay passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 in North Platte.
The 6th child of Arlene and John Whisler, Jay grew up in Peru, Nebraska. Jay’s joy in life was really sparked when he met Sue Faust the summer before he started high school. Jay and Sue finished growing up with one another, being high school sweethearts and marrying in October 1976. There will be no funny stories from high school published…
Jay and Sue began their married life in Sutherland, working to help build the Gerald Gentleman Station of NPPD. After 2 years of marriage, Jay and Sue began to compound the Whisler and Faust genes with Matthew Dale and Nicolas John. Jay transferred to Cooper Nuclear station where he raised his children with Sue in Rockport, Missouri. In 1994 they bounced back to central Nebraska settling in on his ideal property, off dirt roads and without view of neighbors, near Hershey, Nebraska.
After getting NPPD through the nerves of Y2K, Jay left his career in nuclear and coal power, and began the adventure of Project Management in oil and gas. Jay traveled from North Dakota to Texas and Arizona, building stations and holding facilities for oil and natural gas. He ended his career enjoying the windshield time with his radio, blasting his favorite music including ACDC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and CCR, along with many more great bands.
Jay loved spending time outdoors, driving dirt roads, and hanging out in his shop. He was blessed with four grandchildren, and used his wonderful management skills to direct them in finding the joy in playing outside, building random machinery, and blowing things up. Rylie, Kalib, Rowan, and Brett each have fond memories of their grandfather’s stories, advice, and strong directive skills. He was fortunate to experience the marriage of Rylie 6 months before his death, and proudly welcomed Kyler Peck to the Whisler family.
Jay’s calls to friends and family began to slow down in the new year of 2025, when illness caught up with him. The strength for his body to enjoy life was witnessed in his final day, as he continued to bring smiles to each family member saying goodbye.
Jay is survived by immediate family, Susan Whisler, son Matthew Whisler, daughter in law Lynette Whisler, and his grandchildren, Rylie and Kyler Peck, Kalib Whisler, Rowan Whisler, and Brett Whisler. In addition, survivors include siblings and siblings in law, Jackie Kuskie, Joe and Gloria Whisler, Judi Shannon, Jeff Whisler, Josh and Jackie Whisler, Juanita Whisler, Jerry and Suzanne Whisler, Julie and Randy Perry, Bob and Laurie Faust, Lydia Faust, Bill and Brenda Faust.
When Jay arrived to heaven, he was met by those he lost in life, his son Nicholas, parents John and Arlene Whisler, parents in law, Robert and Carol Faust, brothers John Whisler and Jack Gene Whisler, brothers in law Jeff Faust, Duane Shannon, Jack Kuskie, and nephews, Ryan Perry and Little John Whisler.
A celebration of Jay’s life will be May 31, 2025 in Peru Nebraska, at the Northridge Church across from Josh’s house with burial services at Mount Vernon Cemetery.
Memorials can be made in Jay’s memory to the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department. Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com.
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