Don Eugene Whiteley

BENKELMAN -- Don Eugene Whiteley, 78, died Saturday (May 11, 2002) at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman. 

He was born May 24, 1923, to Roy and Helen (Cooper) Whiteley in Chase County, Nebraska.  He attended grade school at Hiawatha and graduated from Chase County High School.

He joined the Merchant Marines in 1945, serving in the Pacific.

On Jan. 15, 1944, he married Enid (Darb) Swartz, and they lived on the Whiteley farm east of Benkelman. After returning from the service, he farmed for several years and later took a job with Dundy County where he worked for the road department.  In 1957, he moved his family to Pueblo, Colo. where he attended school and worked for CF&I.  In 1958, they moved to American Falls, Idaho where he and his brother operated a restaurant and service station.  He later operated a cleaners and Laundromat and also worked for BLM.  After the death of his wife, he moved back to Benkelman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Helen Whiteley; his wife, Enid (Darb); brother, Chester; sister, Carman June; and one infant brother.

Survivors include his son, Michael Whiteley and wife, Sue of Shelley, Idaho; sister, Twila and husband, Boyd Einspahr of Denver, Colo.; brother, Roy Dean Whiteley and wife, Gladys of Ogallala; one granddaughter; and one great-grandson.

Funeral services were today, 1:30 p.m. (MDT), at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman.  A private interment followed services at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Imperial.

Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman is in charge of arrangements.