Ernest A. Whaley

Ernest Alfred Whaley, nicknamed Ernie and later Al, was born in Wisconsin on January 27, 1932 and died at age 93 in Greenville, SC on February 1st, 2025. 

Al moved from Wisconsin at a young age to Waterford, Michigan where he grew up. He later attended Bob Jones University, in Greenville, SC, with his high school buddy Bruce Anderson. At BJU he studied Bible/Theology and Radio. In his 2nd year he met Peggy Stephens there. They married in 1955, after his 4th year at the University. When Peggy’s father passed away suddenly, the family moved from the south to live in Greenville, Michigan, for 2 years, where Al’s youngest daughter of five was born. 

From there they bought a house in Clarklake, MI to be near where Al worked at Aeroquip, in Jackson. A few years later they moved to Oakland County, Michigan where their 5 daughters grew up. First, in Pontiac, Al managed Crown Motel for Peggy’s brother Herb. Then, while residing in Rochester and Troy, Al worked in sales and marketing and volunteered with the youth at Five Points Community Church. 

Al (Ernie) was a son, brother, husband, dad, and friend, but most importantly he was God’s child, and being a Christian, he read the Bible and memorized Scripture. Sharing his thoughts in deep discussion on spiritual topics was his passion and the highlight of his life. His many interests and work pursuits included: writing books on theology (e.g., God’s Logic vs. Man’s Logic); electric work (learned from his father, who was an electrician); carpentry (building decks and sheds), marketing and sales of Freezer Plans, Word Records (the Bible on Record), Amway, and many other products. He also enjoyed paralegal studies. The people he helped, pro bono, in need of legal advice, never lost their cases. 

He often helped the poor and elderly with food, house repairs, or personal care. As was his custom, he never stayed in any one place very long. He moved from Michigan to Florida to be near his daughter Jean and then to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula when Jean was out of the country. Lastly, he moved to South Carolina, where he lived in many places, finally settling with his friends Bryan and Dan until his medical setbacks necessitated moving in with his daughter Jean—where he was lovingly cared for until he passed.

The day Al died Jean was at his bedside and his youngest daughter Dawn on the phone. He was preceded in death by his wife Lauralinepeg (Peggy/Peg) Sarahanne (Whaley-divorced 1986, Bedor, Stephens); his parents: Harvey and Doris Amanda (Nordling) Whaley; his 3-year- old sister Jean Whaley; his older sister Judy Dyer, R.N., and his dear friends Henry Burrow and Dan Tobias, amongst others. 

Al is survived by his brother John Chalmer Whaley (wife Jenny); his five Daughters: 1) Jean Noffke, R.N., her children’s father, Dennis, and their sons (David and Daniel—whom Al watched grow up in Florida) 2) Rhonda Holmgren (Timothy Holmgren, late David Wilkinson) and 3 Wilkinson sons (Daniel, Matthew, Andrew) 3) Denise Cleveland (Orren “Paco”) and their 3 children (Jennifer Long, Brennan, Lauren) 4) Karen Shackelford (Michael) and two children (Bryan and Chelsea), and 5) Dawn Lindsay (ex-husband) and their 4 children (Alexandria, Sarah, Gabriel, and Cosette). 

From the grandchildren have come a total of 19 great-grandchildren. Al is also survived by 4 Whaley nieces and one nephew: Rebecca L. Kapaldo, Charissa A. Kendler (Ady) and Ruth Ann Tetz (late husband, Leland), Susan (Joel) Anderson, and John Whaley, Jr., and by 11 nephews and 5 nieces on Peggy’s side. Al leaves behind some dear friends he made in his last years: Kathy Burrow and family, Bryan C., John H., Paul H., Don C., Basil M., and many others in SC, FL, and the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of MI. 

A remembrance time was held February 21, 2025 at Adon Olam Messianic Congregation 35 Cessna Ct. Greenville SC 29607, at their Friday night after-service dinner. Guests could attend Adon Olam’s service at 7:30 pm and stay afterwards for the meal and remembrance. Al enjoyed learning at Adon Olam Messianic Congregation and discussing biblical topics at their Friday night dinners. Donations on Al’s behalf can be given to Adon Olam. http://www.adonolam.org 

In loving memory of Al, later this year, the family will have a private service for family and friends at the family burial site, Waterford Center Cemetery, Waterford, Michigan. Notice of date and time will be placed on his memorial page at www.cremationsocietyofsc.com/obituaries/ernest-whaley

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