Marlon Bruce Whoolery

Marlon Bruce Whoolery, age 67, of Fairchance, PA, passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2022 in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA as a result of complications from pancreatic cancer.

He was born on Thursday, September 1, 1955 in Uniontown, PA, a son of Bruce S. and Rose Marie (Hutzel) Whoolery, of Uniontown, PA.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Stacy Lynn (Whoolery) Cernuska, of Star Junction, PA.

Marlon was a 1973 graduate of Fairchance-Georges High School and went on to have several successful careers as a coal miner at Dilworth Mine in Crucible, PA; International Representative with United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) in Triangle, VA; Training Director of Mining Technology & Training Center in Prosperity, PA, and most recently President & CEO of Whoolery Training & Consulting, in Fairchance PA.

He was an active, proud member of UMWA District #2, Local 1980 and Chair of the UMWA Pensioner Leadership Committee. He was also a member of the Holmes Mine Rescue Association Executive and Guidance Committees, and a former director of the Nationwide Mine Rescue Skills Committee. In 2013, he was inducted into the Washington/Greene Central Labor Council's Labor Hall of Fame for exceptional leadership in the Labor Movement.

His hobbies included fishing, keeping his yard, vehicles, and boat immaculate, woodworking, and talking with his friends about fishing and sports. Marlon was an avid Steelers and Penguins fan and loved planning what to eat, drink, and wear on game days. Marlon was a member of the American Legion, Post 278 in Fairchance, PA where he enjoyed having a beer or two (probably more) and shoot the breeze with many he considered a friend or simply entertaining.

In addition to his parents, left to cherish his memory is his loving and devoted wife of 38 years Penny (Wargo) Whoolery, the daughters he adored from the moment they were born: Brooke S. Whoolery and her husband, Tony Pelafas of Chicago, IL, and Brandi M. (Whoolery) Shaffer, and her husband Skyler, of Hopwood, PA; and brother, Dana L. (Cindy) Whoolery, of Smithfield, PA. Also left to wonder are his furry grand-kitties, Donut and Pickle of Chicago, IL, and grand-doggies, Thor (affectionately called Big-Boy) and Basil of Hopwood, PA.

Before his death, Marlon requested that visitation and viewing not be permitted. He always found that part of death strange and did not want friends and family to have their last memory of him in a casket. Yet, when challenged, he agreed to a memorial service so that all who loved, admired, and enjoyed being with him can have the opportunity to honor him and to say their last goodbyes.

The family will receive loved ones and friends in the Dean C. Whitmarsh Funeral Home, 134 West Church Street, Fairchance, Pa. on Friday, October 14, 2022 at 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a memorial service starting at 6:00 PM.

If you’re looking for the perfect way to remember him in an impactful way, donate in his name for causes he supported in both volunteer time and his wallet: Warrior Coal Strike Fund, P.O. Box 513, Dumfries, VA 22026 or Levi’s Pennies From Heaven, www.levispenniesfromheaven.org.

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