Marvin Clyde Whaley

Marvin Clyde Whaley, 97, of Brook, Indiana, died Friday, May 19, 2023. Marvin was born at home in Brook to parents, Marion Thomas and Fern (Small) Whaley. Marvin graduated from Brook High School in 1944 and was a lifelong member of Brook United Methodist Church. In August, 1944, Marvin was drafted into the US Navy and served on a construction base in Guam. He was honorably discharged in June, 1946.
After WWII, Marvin returned to Brook to farm with his father, Marion. It gave him great joy to share his love of farming with his son Chuck and grandson John. Marvin also served as a rural letter carrier for 36 years before retiring in 1981.
Marvin met Betty Hoeferlin and they married August 8, 1948. They would have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary this coming August. He and Betty raised four children; John Charles "Chuck" Whaley, Larry Gene Whaley, Thomas Joe Whaley and Judy Kay Leliaert. Marvin often said that family was everything.
Marvin loved all things basketball. He was a Purdue basketball fan and rarely missed watching a game. During basketball season, he enjoyed watching his sons and grandchildren play basketball.
Marvin took great pleasure going to the Newton County 4-H Pun"kin Vine Fair which was one of the highlights of his year. Watching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren show 4-H pigs was a great source of pride and joy.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Fern; sons, Chuck and Larry; daughter-in-law, Mary Whaley and grandson, Travis Goad. He is survived by wife, Betty Whaley of Brook; son, Tom (Kathy) Whaley of Kentland; daughter, Judy (Chris) Leliaert of South Haven, MI. and daughter-in-law, Jane Whaley of Brook. Also surviving are grandchildren, John (Brooke) Whaley, Jana (Patrick) Lee, Jennifer Goad, Brent (Jen) Whaley, Ashley (Jeremy) Sebens, Megan (Tony) Russell, Cameron (Amy) Leliaert, Lindsay ( Rohan) Prahbu and Kelsey (Mike) Lishewski, 15 great grandchildren, Brock and Blake Whaley, Janelle Lee, Avery Goad, Isaac and Ian Whaley, Kenzi, Bryce and Nolan Sebens, Miles and Mason Russell, Samuel, Natalie and Joanna Leliaert, and George Prahbu.
Visitation will be held from 4-7pm (CST) Wednesday, May 24, 2023 and funeral service will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 11:00 am (CST) both at Brook United Methodist Church with Pastor Matt Baughman officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brook United Methodist Church or the Newton County 4-H Swine Barn. Arrangements are entrusted to Gerts, Windler and Keller Funeral Homes ~ Brook Chapel, 129 E. Main St., Brook, IN 47922. (219) 275-6161. www.kellerfh.com
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