Gerald (Jerry) Whiteley

Gerald (Jerry) Whiteley of Mesa, Arizona, passed away at his home on July 23, 2024. 

Jerry was born on November 27, 1939, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Peggy Maxwell and was adopted by Chester and Mary Whiteley on April 8, 1944, in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  Jerry was raised in Omaha, Nebraska, graduating from South High School and often returning with his family to show them his hometown.  Jerry was proud of his service in the United States Marine Corps from 1958 to 1961.  After a varied employment career in merchandising and manufacturing, he attended and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in March 1989.  After graduation came a lengthy career as a funeral director which began in 1989 at Highland Park Funeral Home and ended with retirement from Hamilton’s Funeral Home in 2003, both in Des Moines, IA.   Jerry devoted his time to ensuring that families were shown compassion, often going out of his way to donate clothing and other items to survivors in need, often carrying extra gloves and scarves in his vehicles at work during the winter months to provide for those ill-prepared for the cold Iowa winters.

Jerry was married to Rebecca (Becky) Whiteley on June 23, 1979, and celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary exactly one month prior to his death.  They were blessed with a daughter, Carrie Whiteley-Encinas (Jamie).  In 2016 Jerry and Becky moved to Arizona to be closer to his “best buddy” Carrie. 

Jerry loved spending time with his family and could often be found fishing, visiting museums, or just driving around with family in any of his favorite cars he owned throughout his life.  Jerry enjoyed following the current interests of all family members and friends, throwing himself into learning all he could about things important to those that were important to him. An avid fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Jerry would often give play-by-play accounts of games to his daughter if she couldn’t watch.  Jerry loved animals, always forming a deep bond with pets of his own and those of friends and family members.  Jerry will be laid to rest with the remains of his beloved dog Stormy, who died years ago.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife Becky, daughter Carrie, and countless friends across the country.    

Inurnment will take place August 16, 2024, at 10 am in a Veterans wall at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park 400 S. Power Rd. Mesa, AZ.  Lunch to follow at Birdies 500 S. 80th St. Mesa, AZ.