Kanani Richard "Chopper" Whaley

Kanani Richard “Chopper” Whaley, 63, of Lebanon, Ohio, passed away on August 7, 2026, following acourageous 64-day battle with illness. Born July 10, 1963, at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, Chopper lived a life defined by family, hard work, laughter, competition, creativity, and an unwavering belief that a person should never be afraid to chase a dream.

To know Chopper was to know exactly where he stood. He was outspoken, quick-witted, and a joke-cracking wise guy with absolutely no filter—and his family wouldn't have wanted him any other way. He said what he meant, stood behind what he believed, and rarely turned down the opportunity for a good debate.

He carried a confidence that followed him throughout his life. As a young baseball player, Chopper wasfiercely competitive and usually believed he was the best man for just about every position on the field. Thatcompetitive spirit never really left him. As he grew older, however, it became something greater: adetermination to work hard, protect the people around him, and never stop pushing toward the things hebelieved were possible.

For 28 years, Chopper worked at Valley Janitor Supply, first as a warehouse manager and later as apurchasing agent. He was more than a boss to the people who worked alongside him. He listened to hisemployees, stood up for them, fought for better pay and working conditions, and believed everyonedeserved equal respect. When mistakes were made, Chopper was willing to shoulder responsibility himselfwhile making sure the people under his leadership had an opportunity to learn rather than simply take theblame.

That willingness to stand behind people extended far beyond the workplace.For many years, Chopper could also be found on a baseball field at Monroe or Smith Park, coaching his sonsand their friends in recreational and select baseball. He wasn't simply teaching young players how to throw,hit, or field a baseball. He was giving his time to his boys and to a generation of kids who had theopportunity to call him "Coach."

But of all the roles Chopper held throughout his life—coach, manager, coworker, friend, creator, and mentor—the roles that mattered most to him were husband and father. Chopper shared 34 years of marriage with his wife, Angie Whaley whom he loved dearly. Together, they built a family and a life centered around their four sons: Brandon, Ryan, Adam, and Kye. There was nothing in this world Chopper was more proud of than his boys. He didn't raise his sons by trying to prevent them from ever falling. Instead, he encouraged them to take chances, make mistakes, learn for themselves, and aim higher than what felt comfortable—all while making sure they knew their father would always be the safety net waiting underneath them. He taught them that we only get one life, and because of that, dreams are worth pursuing. More importantly, he led by example.

Chopper was a lifelong lover of comic books, particularly Marvel Comics. To him, superheroes were morethan characters printed on a page. The comic book universe helped shape his imagination and stayed withhim throughout his life. Eventually, that love inspired him to create a universe of his own.

The Lil' Heroes.

The Lil' Heroes was Chopper's love letter to the comic book world that helped raise him—a universe bornfrom his imagination, creativity, humor, and lifelong love of superheroes. And it was never just a passing hobby. After working to provide for his family, Chopper would come home and continue working on his dream. Hisfour sons were part of the reason he woke up and went to work every morning, and they were also part ofthe reason he continued creating when he came home. He wanted to see The Lil' Heroes finished. He wanted to see his characters and stories make their way into the world. And although Chopper will not physically be here to see every place that universe goes, his story does not end here. His sons have made a promise to carry their father's dream forward—to place his legacy upon their backs, finish what he started, and take The Lil' Heroes as far as they possibly can. The creator may be gone, but his universe will live on. Outside of comics, Chopper loved The Beatles, the Oakland Raiders, baseball, a good joke, and above everything else, his family. He was a loving husband, a devoted father and grandfather, a loyal friend, a coach, a leader, a creative mastermind, and above all, a dreamer.

Chopper is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Angie Whaley; his four sons, Brandon Whaley and his wife, Stephanie; Ryan Whaley; Adam Whaley and his partner, Jessica Baumer; and Kye Whaley; and his grandchildren, Kera Whaley, Sophie Whaley, Alivia Whaley, and Maxon Whaley. He is also survived by his sister, Daphene Agius; Angie and Doug Whiteman; nieces Taylor and Brennen Oaks and Hunter and Luke French; nephew Mason and Madison Whiteman; as well as many beloved grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family members, friends, former coworkers, players, and others whose lives were touched by Chopper over the years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kanani “Richard” Whaley and Dotty Fay Combs; his brother, Donald Whaley; and his grandnephew, Maverick Oakes.

Chopper spent his life teaching his sons to take risks, believe in themselves, work hard, protect the people around them, and chase the things they believed in. Those lessons did not leave this world with him. They live in his wife. They live in his sons. They live in his grandchildren. They live in every player who once called him Coach, every employee he stood up for, every friend who ever argued and laughed with him, and every person who was fortunate enough to know him. And they will live within every page of the universe he created. His boys will take it from here. The Lil' Heroes will live on.

Funeral Services

A celebration of Chopper's life will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Berachah Church, 3860 Trenton Franklin Road, Middletown, Ohio 45042. Friends and guests are invited to pay their respects from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at 12:00 p.m. Following the service, family and friends will proceed to Hickory Flat Cemetery, 4464 Morganthaler Road, Hamilton, Ohio 45011, where Chopper will be laid to rest.

Memorial Contributions

For those wishing to support the Whaley family during this time, memorial contributions are being accepted to assist the family and help carry forward Chopper's dream through The Lil' Heroes Project.

Cash App: $KananiWhaley

Venmo: KicksOnWhaley

Zelle: 513-302-7296

A memorial contribution box will also be available at the service. The Whaley family is deeply grateful for every prayer, message, memory, donation, and act of kindness shown during Chopper's illness and following his passing. His family asks that those who knew him remember Chopper the way he lived: Love your family. Stand up for your people. Laugh often. Say what you mean. Take the risk. And never stop chasing the dream.