Marie Louise Wherley

Marie Louise Wherley, 93, of New Philadelphia, died December 7, 2006, in Country Club Retirement Campus at Dover, with her daughter by her side.A daughter of the late Albert and Mary Scheetz Lirgg, Marie was born December 3, 1913, in New Philadelphia. In 1931, Marie graduated from New Philadelphia High School. On May 12, 1933, Marie eloped and married John B. Wherley, in Wheeling, West Virginia. Here in New Philadelphia, Marie worked at the Belmont Stamp and Enameling Company on Bowers Avenue. In 1935, John and Marie moved to Cleveland, where Marie worked for General Motors in the war plant for ten years. Marie and her husband would return to New Philadelphia on the weekends to build their home on Minnich Avenue. Marie loved her family and was known as the family caregiver. She often had many extra loved ones in her home, which was filled with love. She was a leader for her daughters Campfire Girls in the early 1950’s. Marie was a member of the First United Church of Christ in New Philadelphia.In addition to her parents, Marie was preceded in death by her husband, John B. Wherley; sister, Wilma Enama; brothers, Carl Lirgg and Raymond Lirgg.She is survived by her daughter, Carol (David) Riker of New Philadelphia; grandchildren, David Clay (Leslie) Riker of New Philadelphia, John Chris (Patty) Riker of New Philadelphia; great grandchildren, Mitchell, Nicki, Johnny, Megan and Jaden. Also surviving, nephews, Burrell (Billie Jo) Lirgg of Idaho, Marlyn Jones of Strasburg, Richard (Mildred) Myers of New Philadelphia, Gary (Diane) Enama of New Philadelphia; nieces Mary Lee (Al) Elliott of Mississippi, Suzanne Hughes of California, and Cynthia (Don) Lovett of Arizona.Visitation will be Sunday, December 10, 2006, from 4-7 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia.Services will be conducted by Pastor Jeffrey Gerber and Jill Lovett on Monday at 10:30 a.m. in the First United Church of Christ at New Philadelphia. Interment will follow at Evergreen Burial Park in New Philadelphia.Memorial contributions to honor Marie’s life may be sent to the First United Church of Christ, 201 Fair Avenue N.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663