Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Mary Helen (West) Whitley

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Mary Helen (West) Whitley, 62, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016.

Mary was born on April 5, 1953, in Mason, a daughter of Roy and Helen (Menovske) West. She attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1971. While in high school, Mary was a cheerleader.

On June 19, 1971, she was united in marriage to Terry John Whitley at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wakefield. They made their home in Wakefield and were blessed with two children.

Mary will be remembered by her family and friends as a loving, caring and giving person, who never complained and was always willing to help others. She especially treasured spending time with her beloved grandchildren.

Mary enjoyed camping at Lake Gogebic, country music, reading, cruises and the Hodag Country Festival.

Mary is survived by a son, Scott (Steph) Whitley, Sturgeon Bay, Wis .; a daughter, Stacie (George Pilon) Whitley, Ishpeming; two grandchildren, Wes and Nora Whitley; her father, Roy (Sue) West; six brothers, Gary, Pete, Doug, Mark (Monica) Berwald, Todd (Sam) and Adam; a sister, Kathy Berwald; her mother-in-law, June Whitley; her brother-in-law, Mark (Betsy) Whitley; her sister-in-law, Judi (Jerry) Yatchak; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen, in 2000; and her husband, Terry, in 1977.

A celebration of Mary's life will be held Saturday, March 5, at the Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084, and dinner will be served from 6 to 8 p.m.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner-manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.