Gretel "Oma" Whisler, age 88 of Elwood, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2019 at Elwood Senior Health and Living Center following an extended illness.  She was born July 6, 1930 in Pfungstadt, Germany, the daughter of Ludwig and Klara (Depperman) Becker.  Gretel married William E. "Bill" Whisler on July 24, 1948 in Germany at the end of World War II before returning to the U.S.  They shared over 37 years of marriage together until his passing in 1985.  She worked as a nurse aide at Dickey Nursing Home and Parkview Nursing Home in Elwood for over 35 years until she retired in 2005.  Gretel was a former member of East Main Street Christian Church in Elwood; and she also enjoyed attending churches with both her daughter and son.  She especially liked working in her yard, walking regularly, and enjoyed many memorable trips to visit family in Germany.  Gretel was passionate about caring for others and enjoyed visiting with friends, shut-ins, and former patients.  More than anything, Gretel loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and she will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

Gretel's family includes 2 daughters, Helen (husband Dave) Peters of Elwood and Linda Whisler of Pensacola, FL; son, Bruce (wife Holly) Whisler of Elwood; 7 grandchildren, Danielle (husband Ryan) Winningham, Bryan Peters, Kasey Peters, Heidi Whisler, Jenny (husband Clint) Bohlander, Kurtis Whisler, and Becky Whisler; and 13 great-grandchildren, Jordan, Jakob, Lucas, Amyra, Eli, Brayden, Kailin, Savannah, Avery, Tanner, Anthony, Jeremy, and Bentley.  She is also survived by a special friend, Karl Geissler and numerous extended family members in Germany.

Gretel was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, William E. "Bill" Whisler; 4 sisters, Anneliese Geissler, Klara Depperman, Elfriede Miller, and Christel Stanzel; and 3 brothers, Horst Becker, Walter (and wife Elizabeth) Becker, and Ludwig Becker.

A memorial service celebrating Gretel's life will be conducted at 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with her son Bruce Whisler of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Rev. Bill Johnston of Grace United Methodist Church in Elwood, officiating.  Burial will take place privately in Sunset Memorial Park in Elwood.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Thursday prior to the service at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.   Memorial contributions are suggested to the Morrisett Center Food Pantry through the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.