Graveside services for Bernard C. Whaley, 95, were at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 6, 2015, at Gardens of Memory in Minden, with Dr. Randy Hales officiating. The received friends from 9 until 10 a.m. Monday at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Minden Chapel before the service.
Bernard was born Feb. 25, 1920, in Walkerville, Arkansas and entered into rest April 2, 2015 in Minden. He was a long time resident and businessman of Minden. He owned and operated the Minden Dairy Queen for 40 years. B.C. was an avid hunter, fisherman, traveler, and a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Mr. Whaley proudly served his country during World War II. 1st LT Bernard “Pappy” Whaley was a B-24 Bomber Pilot in Europe with the 446 bombardment, Group 707th Squadron “The D-Day Leaders.” He returned home at age 24 having flown 30 bombing missions over France and Germany. His last two missions were flown on the D-Day beaches of Normandy. His numerous awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals.
He was preceded in death by his wife, of 66 years, Marjorie Bright Whaley.
He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law whom he cherished, Sharon Garland and husband, Tom of Minden, Peggy McClendon and husband, Carr of Carmichael, California and Jeannie Sills and husband, Norris of St. Francisville. Also survived by his brother, Joe Whaley and wife, Emma Lou of Minden, seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. His wife’s family and all who knew him adored him.
The family was determined to take care of him at home with the help of VA home-based Primary Care nurses Susan Brown and Evaline Kinard and later Amedisys Hospice nurse Simone Wart and Maria Johnson of Country Road Resources. You treated him with such loving care and we will never forget it.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Minden, 301 Pennsylvania Ave., Minden, LA 71055.