Irvin jr Whiteley

January 11, 2019 … Donald Trump was President … Government was in partial shutdown … Border Wall was a controversial topic and the Brewers had beat the Cubs … Jr decided he’d had enough and left this earth for a far better place! Jr fought really hard to come back to his family, but it wasn’t meant to be... God had other plans. Jr passed away peacefully at Dallas County Hospital in Perry, Iowa surrounded by his loving family.

Irvin Jr Whiteley was born January 31, 1928 in Sewal, Iowa to Irvin Erwin Whiteley and Sara Emma (Todd) Whiteley. Jr went to school in Sewal until 7th grade and attended “Country School” north of Corydon in 8th and 9th grade and graduated from Allerton High School in 1946. Jr rode his horse to and from school many of those days. While in high school, he worked at the Webb Sale Barn and at Whiteley Electric with his brother Dail. Jr spent his leisure time working with and training horses. Jr was married on June 3, 1949 at the Christian Parsonage in Allerton, Iowa to Geneva Frances Ockerman and they resided in Corydon, Iowa (where their first daughter, Peggy Ann was born).  

Jr worked at Bricks Gas Station, then he worked at Wolf’s Furniture Store and Funeral Home and after leaving Wolf’s he worked at Jack’s Grocery and Murphy’s Clothing Store. In 1959 Jr joined the P.M. Place Company as manager. His first store was in Corning, Iowa later transferring to Albany, Mo. (where their second daughter, Terry Lynn was born), Boone, Iowa and Jefferson, Iowa where Jr and Geneva were to make their home until December 2015. After working for Place’s for twenty five plus years he began working at the Greene County Assessor’s Office as an appraiser for nine years while working at Spring Lake as a Park Officer part time. After retiring from the Assessor’s Office he worked at Midwest Dry Cleaning and continued at Spring Lake. He left Midwest Dry Cleaning to work at Bayard Basics Hardware Store and helped every weekend at Bayard Dance Country both in Bayard, Iowa until their closing. Then … he finally learned the difference between “Retired” and “Tired.” 

Among his hobbies and favorite things to do were riding and training horses, sports of all kinds especially baseball in high school and as an adult, playing third base at Shane Hill with the Whiteley Family and others. Other favorite past times included girls softball, golf, bowling, dancing, fishing, boating, westerns on television, country music and good food. Jr was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson, Kiwanis, Rotary, League Bowling, Chamber, Jaycees, MYF leader and was President of Girl’s Senior League Softball.  

In December of 2015 due to health issues the decision was made to move in with daughter Peg in Perry, Iowa. After a two month hospital stay Jr moved to the Rowley Masonic Home in Perry where he lived until his death.

Jr was preceded in death by his parents, Irvin and Sara Whiteley; a sister, Sarah Whiteley; Geneva’s parents, Aaron Ockerman and Ina Ockerman; brother-in-law, Lowell Ockerman and his wife Virginia Ann; sister-in-law, Lois Morrett and husband George; sister-in-law, Anna Mae Tonelli and husband Charles; along with several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 69 years Geneva Whiteley; two daughters, Peg (Dick) Wilcox of Perry and Terry (Dennis) Murphy of Jefferson; five grandchildren: Jennifer Pierce of Perry,  David Wilcox of Des Moines, Jill (Jim) Carollo of Allen, Texas, Roxanne Wilcox of Davenport, and Michael Wilcox of Scranton; five great grandchildren: Katie Humpal, Dalton Humpal, Emma Humpal, Breanna Carollo and Parker Pierce. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, other family and many friends.      

Jr’s body was cremated and no services are planned per his wishes.   

Memorials may be sent to Geneva Whiteley at 12432 K Drive, Perry, IA 50220. 

Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson assisted the family.