Herman Edwin Whaley Sr.

Herman Edwin Whaley, Sr., 84 of East Palatka, passed from this life on Friday, April 25, 2025, at HCA Florida Putnam Hospital in Palatka following an extended illness. A native of Medart, Florida, he was a 1959 graduate of Crawfordville High School and a 1982 graduate of St. Johns River Community College. Herman enjoyed a 42-year career with the Florida Highway Patrol and retired as First Lieutenant. During his tenure with FHP, Herman was in the first class of Traffic Homicide Investigations and graduated in the 24th class of the FHP Academy. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Palatka, Pineland Lodge #86 F&AM as well as the Kiwanis Club of the Azalea City in Palatka. Herman also umpired high school and college baseball and served as a referee for High School football. He was proud of the fact he brought Little League Baseball to Marathon, Florida in 1973. Herman was an avid Florida State University fan and enjoyed watching baseball and football. In his leisure time Herman enjoyed camping and traveling. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilmer H. Whaley, Sr and Ople Raker Whaley and a brother, Wilmer H. Whaley, Jr. Herman is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Ann Whaley of East Palatka, 2 sons, Herman E. “Chuck” Whaley, Jr. (Sandra) of Crawfordville and Darrin Whaley (Julianna) of Stafford, VA, a sister, Ople Whaley of North Fort Myers, FL, a sister-in-law, Nancy Whaley, 3 grandchildren, James Whaley (Whitney), Nicole Whaley and Lee Whaley and 2 great-grandchildren, Lucy Whaley and Sarah Whaley. Services celebrating Herman’s life will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Palatka with Pastor Ron Smith officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services at 11:00 A.M. Masonic Services will also be conducted by Pineland Lodge #86 F&AM. Graveside services and burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Lake Ellen Baptist Church Cemetery in Medart, Florida with Pastor Keith Wallace officiating and directed by Family Funeral Home in Crawfordville. Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Herman’s Book of Memories page at www.j-ofunerals.com Arrangements in Palatka are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home and Family Funeral Home at Harvey Young Chapel are assisting in Crawfordville.