Karla Whisenand, former director of Love INC of Greater Hancock County, passed away July 22. Friends say she packed in a lot of living despite battling cancer for over half her life.
GREENFIELD — Karla Whisenand battled cancer for over half her life, but those who knew her say she had a smile that could light up any room.
The former director of Love INC of Greater Hancock County passed away Saturday, July 22 at the age of 60.
She battled ovarian cancer off and on since the age of 28 — a battle friends say she fought with her trademark strength and grace.
Roger Kinion, her pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Greenfield, said Whisenand was constantly caring for others.
She advocated for fellow women by speaking to medical students and physicians about how to help their patients understand the early signs of ovarian cancer.
“Karla was just one of those encouraging people who always had a smile on her face, who stayed steady and consistent even during the difficult times,” said Kinion. “Even when she was struggling, she could still find the good to talk about and to focus on. She was worried about those around her more than she worried about herself.”
Her selfless nature served her well during the five years she worked for Love INC, a local nonprofit which works with local churches to provide an array of services for those in need.
Whisenand, who lived in Greenfield, first joined the nonprofit as Transformational Ministry Coordinator in 2015 before being promoted to executive director in 2017.
“She did a fantastic job,” said Kinion, who had encouraged Whisenand to apply for the job. “She was very visionary in addressing new opportunities and building her staff,” he said.
Her successor, Debra Weber, said Whisenand was instrumental in growing the organization and recruiting several of the employees and volunteers who continue to make it prosper.
“She was just a very kind, gentle person who cared deeply about others. She cared deeply about this ministry and helping people, helping families, and she cared about her staff,” said Weber, who first joined Love INC as a volunteer in 2015.
“Karla was always positive and had a smile on her face, and was great about going out into the community talking to people and sharing the mission of Love INC. We were all very thankful for the time she was director here,” she said.
Weber took over as interim director when Whisenand’s cancer reappeared in 2020, but Whisenand didn’t return to work.
Rather, she focused on making the most of the life she had left.
Whisenand had said that reuniting with her husband, Jon, was one of the greatest blessings in her life.
The high school sweethearts had gone their separate ways as teens but were overjoyed to reconnect about 10 years ago.
Kinion, who officiated their wedding ceremony eight years ago, enjoyed watching them embrace life together.
“Karla and Jon had one of those beautiful romance stories. It was fun to watch them just experience life together,” he said.
“They understood life is a journey, and they wanted to enjoy every moment of that journey, so they traveled together and experienced all the culture they could. It was a reflection of who they were as a couple. They saw life as this great opportunity to experience a variety of things,” said Kinion, who officiated Whisenand’s memorial service on July 29.
“Jon will tell you he’s able to cope with the loss because of how they packed a lifetime of living into 10 years,” he said.
