Gary Lee Whitley, 76, of Redfield, SD, passed away Sunday, January 24, 2021, at home in Redfield surrounded by his loving family.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2021, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Redfield. Reverend John Short will officiate.  Interment will follow at the Tulare Cemetery in Tulare.

Visitation will be Wednesday, from 5:00 –7:00 p.m., at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield.  A rosary will follow at 7:00 p.m. Family will be present starting at 6:00 p.m. to accept condolences.

Masks and social distancing are required at the funeral home and recommended at the church.  For those unable to wear or are uncomfortable with masks, as well as those unable to attend in person, the funeral service will be live-streamed to the funeral home's website.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home (www.hykefuneralhome.com).

Gary Whitley was born December 10, 1944, in Burke, SD to Donavan and Frances (Schmitz) Whitley.  He was a member of the St. Bernard Catholic Church.  Gary married Helen Genzler on March 20, 1991 in Aberdeen, SD.  Gary was a farmer and a baker.  He loved to bake and share the things he made. He loved spending time with his family and friends and liked sitting in the sunshine and listening to country music.

Gary is survived by his wife Helen; his children:  Jimmy, Steve, Dustin, Joseph, Markus, Elizabeth, and Lori; his siblings: Ron (Bev) Whitley of Redfield, SD; Tom (Alice) Whitley of Redfield, SD; Donna (Grant Schmidt) Thomas of Redfield, SD; Joe (Jane) Whitley of Wyoming; Susan (Dallas) Olson of Redfield, SD; and Rick (Jane) Whitley of South Carolina; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Donavon and Frances; sister Connie Whitley; brother-in-law Terry Thomas; and niece Caitlin Whitley.

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Thanks to the participants in Gary's service:

Clergy - Reverend John Short

Lector - Mary Kay Jandel

Organist - Carol Esser

Cantor - Raymond Johnson

Soloist - Richard Wernsmann

Pallbearers - Nick Mommer, Richard Wernsmann, Tony Whitley,

Paul Whitley, Jay Whitley, Wade Thomas

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