Elzie Whitley, 81, of Warsaw, Ind., passed away at 9:58 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, in Mason Health Care and Rehabilitation.

He was born June 1, 1933, in Gordo, Ala., to John and Pearl (Maronne) Whitley. He was united in marriage to Norma Marie Lucarelli on July 16, 1954, in Pittsburgh, Pa., who survives.

He served in the U.S. Army from Sept. 1, 1949, to Jan. 11, 1956, during the Korean Conflict. He worked most of his life as a semi driver and had the experience of seeing a lot of our United States. Elzie loved to hunt and fish with family and friends. His love for building go-cart motors was his passion.

He is survived by his wife: Norma Marie Whitley, Warsaw; three children: Eric (Margaret) Whitley, James (Pam) Whitley and Marcelle (Fred) Heady, all of Warsaw; nine grandchildren: Brian Whitley, Amy (Dennis) Kinsey, Erica Whitley, all of Florida; Melissa (Quentin) Blackford, San Marcos, Calif.; Joseph Whitley, Warsaw; Rachael (Jeremiah) Polk, Warsaw; Michelle (Chris) Warrix, Columbia City, Ind.; Michael (Sabrina) Heady, Warsaw; and Douglas Heady, Maryland; 17 great-grandchildren: Bryce, Payton and Madyson Kinsey, all of Florida; Trey, Emma and Lucy Blackford, all of California; Austin and Piper Polk, both of Warsaw; Blake, Andrew, Breyanna Barger and Brady Warrix, all of Columbia City; Cohen and Brody Heady, Warsaw; and Tayleona, Avary and Brielle Heady, all of Larwill, Ind.; and one sister: Johnnie Lee, Gordo, Ala.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, four sisters, including the late Ruth McCool, Warsaw.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, in the funeral home with Reverend Robert Brown officiating. Burial will be at a later date.

To sign a guest register or leave online condolences, visit the McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels website.