VERLE “WHITEY” EDWARDS

Whitey Edwards, age 84, of Maple Park, IL, formerly of Elburn, passed away surrounded by the love and prayers of his family at Delnor Hospital, Saturday, March 11, 2023.

He was born January 16, 1939, in Aurora, IL, to proud parents, Clarence and Marvella Lily Edwards.

Whitey was born with very blond, almost white looking hair, and it didn’t take long for the nickname to stick and stick it did. He attended Elburn High School but found work as a welder at Barber Greene where he made street paving machines in Aurora. When it closed down, he took his talents to Elgin Sweeper where he became a master welder. It wasn’t until 2003 when he finally put down the torch and retired for good, but if you knew Whitey, that didn’t slow him down any.

Whitey met his future wife in the halls of his high school, but he was too shy to ask out the cute girl he sat behind. It was left to his friend Dave to ask her out for him and Dorothy Jones was only too happy to take him up on his offer. That first date eventually led them to the altar on December 26, 1959 at the Community Congregational Church in Elburn. They never looked back and before you knew it, 63 years of memories, four children and a family full of fun followed. 

Whitey was a hard worker all his life and dedicated to his family. Although he was private, a friendship with Whitey was a friendship for life. He loved to tinker around the house and the well-manicured lawn, yard, and if you weren’t paying attention, he managed a fair amount of mischief. He loved to work on cars, especially Jeeps, and had a love/hate relationship with sparrows who kept taking over his bird feeder. 3:30 was beer-thirty, and time for his time-tested warm Bud Lite, much to the chagrin of cold beer drinkers everywhere. His memories bring smiles in an instant with laughter soon to follow. He was one a kind and not soon to be forgotten.

He now leaves his loving wife Dorothy; four children: Debbie Edwards Dewey; Rene Edwards Overton; LeAnne Edwards Leffelman and Bradley (Heather) Edwards: 7 grandchildren: Amanda (Jamie) Clayton, Kori (Nate) Pennell, Lauren Leffelman, Luke Leffelman, Lexie Leffelman, Alyssa Edwards and Zachary Edwards; one brother Merril (Alice) Edwards; a sister, Cheryl Frohlich; several nieces, nephews, cousins, a family of friends, and constant companion, Rusty, a mutt with a heart of gold. 

He now joins his parents, Clarence and Marvella Edwards; two brothers, Robert Edwards and Dwayne Edwards; one grandson Blake Leffelman and his best four-legged friend, Buddy, a sassy little Pomeranian, who preceded him in death.

His family will host a celebration of his life, Sunday, April 23, 2023, from 1-5 p.m. at MVP’s, 124 S. California St., Sycamore, IL where everyone can take part in sharing their favorite memory, toast his memory with your favorite beverage or a warm Bud Lite, just like Whitey.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Verle’s name. Checks may be made to the “Verle Edwards Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119.  Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook page, or at www.conleycare.com.