Perry Edward Whitley, Jr. Obituary (1952

Perry Edward Whitley, Jr., 60, of Phillipstown, Illinois, died Wednesday, January 2, 2013, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana. He was born August 11, 1952, in Evansville, Indiana, the son of Perry E. and Marjorie (Rose) Whitley. He was married to his on-again and off-again childhood sweetheart, Donna Scamahorn, who proudly wore his Cub Scout ring when they were in grade school Perry was Alpha Natural Resources Director of Mine Emergency Coordination and Preparedness and received an Honorary Lifetime Membership from the National Mine Rescue Association, Post #9. He was a past president of NMRA Post #9 and involved in mine rescue for a total of 31 of his 36 years in the industry. For more than 18 years, he was captain/trainer of the Wabash Mine Rescue Teams. Outside his work career, he was an Army Reserve veteran and attended the Crossville United Methodist Church in Crossville, Illinois. Memberships include the American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Shrine, Illinois State Mining Board, and Illinois State Mine Rescue Association. He enjoyed spending time in his shed with his son and grandson where they enjoyed woodworking and other projects and they spent time fishing from his fishing boat. He was an avid NASCAR fan, and actively supported both Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. One of the highlights for Perry was meeting Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in person. Survivors include his mother, Marjorie Whitley; wife, Donna Whitley; son Chad Jon Whitley and his wife Kerri, all of Phillipstown; daughter Amanda Winter and her husband Jason of Carmi, Illinois; brothers Stan Whitley and his wife Cindy of Crossville, and Rob Whitley of Phillipstown; sister Cindy Maurer and her husband Stan of Phillipstown; grandchildren Layne (Hoot) Whitley, Baileigh (BJ) Whitley and Callie Jo (CJ) Winter. He is preceded in death by his father, Perry Edward Whitley, Sr., and sister Cathy Whitley. Visitation is 5-8 pm, Friday, January 4, at Crossville United Methodist Church. Funeral is at 10 am, Saturday, January 5, at Crossville United Methodist Church with burial in Phillipstown Cemetery in Phillipstown. Memorials may be made to the Crossville Veterans Memorial Project. Visitation: Crossville United Methodist Church, January 4, 2013 - 5-8pm Service: Crossville United Methodist Church, January 5, 2013 - 10am