Mark A. Whaley, 58, a lifelong resident of Webster City, died at his home on Monday, December 20, 2010, after a courageous thirteen-month battle with brain cancer. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Webster City, with Father Richard Graves officiating. Immediately following the service, a celebration of life reception will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. A visitation will be held on Monday, December 27, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Foster Funeral & Cremation Center. Burial will be held at a later date. Mark Allen Whaley, son of Donald and Mary Fosberg Whaley, was born on July 22, 1952 at the Hamilton County Hospital in Webster City. He graduated from Webster City High School in 1970. On June 24, 1978 he married Nancy J. Trueblood of Kamrar. Survivors include his wife Nancy, of Webster City; daughter, Maren (Chris) Henderson of Boone; son, Joseph Whaley of Cedar Falls; many nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, and aunts, including Charlotte Randall of Webster City. Mark is also survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Deb and Ed Stephenson of Ames; Laverne (Murph) and Gaylene Trueblood of Glenhaven, California; Peg and Scott Hobbs of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; Cindy Gable of Kingman, Arizona; Becky and Scott Seeley of Flagstaff, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald on July 14, 1988; his mother, Mary on April 29, 2006; and his sister, Francine VanScoy, who died on October 2, 2010. A summer job mowing the lawn at Hamilton County Hospital led to a 38-year career in public safety. At eighteen, too young to drive the ambulance and with only basic first aid training, Mark began his work with Emergency Medical Services, which was just in its infancy. In 1973 he was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician-Ambulance and from 1977-1978 he served as the director of Ambulance Services at Hamilton County Hospital. Also, in 1978, Mark became a volunteer firefighter and in1979 was hired as a full-time firefighter. In 1986, he was chosen by his peers to receive the Fireman of the Year Award. In 2008, after thirty years of service with the Webster City Fire Department, he retired as Captain. Mark had many certifications but was most proud of being a certified Paramedic and a PADI Dive Master. He was also involved for many years educating children about fire safety during National Fire Prevention Week and he taught classes at Iowa Central Community College for the American Heart Association. Mark was known for his love of history, whether researching the genealogy of the Whaley family or his interest in American military history, especially the involvement of his father and his uncles in World War II. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. Mark's favorite activity included riding his Harley throughout the Iowa countryside. He looked forward to his annual treks to Sturgis, South Dakota and riding with his motorcycle group. Even after he could no longer drive, Nancy continued to take him to the group's weekly Wednesday night gatherings. Per his request, memorials may be directed to the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, of which Mark was a lifetime member. Write a personal tribute or light a virtual candle for the Whaley family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com

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