Ray 'Ed' McWhirter

Ray 'Ed' McWhirter, age 78 of Batavia, IA, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2008 at Jefferson County Hospital in Fairfield.

Family visitation will be held 6:30 to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM, Thursday, March 6, 2008 at Behner Funeral Home with Pastor Danny Cary officiating. The body will be cremated following the service with burial of cremain at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Batavia First Responders or to the family.

Cards and memorials may be sent c/o:
100 Agency Street
Batavia, IA 52533

Ed McWhirter was born May 8, 1929 in Fairfield, IA to Ray and Mary (McCormick) McWhirter. He graduated from Fairfield High School and served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was united in marriage with Betty Farquhar in 1951 and later with Louise Baker in 1980.

Ed owned and operated Ed's Shell in partnership with Jim Willis. Following that, he was employed at Whitmore Electric and WLD Trucking before retirement. Ed was a member of the VFW #2271, B.P.O.E. #1192, and the American Legion Post #17.

Ed is survived by his wife, Louise of Batavia, and his children and their families: Susie Gesualdo and husband Jim of Centerville, IA, Scott McWhirter and wife Deb of Springfield, MO, Steve McWhirter and wife Pam of Maple Plain, MN, Shannon McWhirter and wife Cindy of Fairfield, IA, and Stacey McWhirter of Fairfield, IA, Step-children: Debb Shaull of Sigourney, Bob Baker and wife Roberta of Grand Junction, CO, Rick Baker of Sigournery, and Randy Baker and wife Clella of Richland. Ed was blessed with 10 grandchildren, eleven step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and 15 step-great-grandchildren. Survivors include a brother, Rodger McWhirter of Burlington, IA.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, son Doug and a brother, Wilbur.