INDIANA, Oct. 7 – Reuben H. Wharam Jr., 85, of Indianapolis, Indiana died Sunday, October 5, 2008 at his home. He was born May 16, 1923 in Buckingham County, Virginia, the son of Reuben H. Wharam Sr. and Matilda Raikes Wharam. He married his wife Marilyn Mabee on February 11, 1950.

Mr. Wharam was a veteran of WWII serving in the United States Army and was a recipient of the Purple Heart. He was a self-employed general contractor for more than 50 years and worked as an office manager and insurance adjuster and the Indiana Employment Security Division for several years.

He loved spending time with his family and was an avid gardener. He was a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Broadripple, a 56 year member of the American Legion, a member of the K.V. Elliott Post 67 of the American Legion in Sheridan and Millersville Lodge F&AM #126. He graduated from Arsenal Tech High School and Indiana Business College.

He is survived by his wife, four daughters, Barbara Marsh of Indianapolis, IN, Deborah (Roger) Rood-Woodward of Sheridan, IN, Lizabeth Wharam and Melissa (Christopher) Wilson all of Indianapolis, IN; eight grandchildren, Timothy H. (Stacie) Marsh, Andrew (Kathryn) Marsh, Joshua (Katie) Marsh, Patrick Marsh, Jessica (Joe) Murray, Angela (Bryan) Carroll, Madison Wilson, and Abigail Wilson; five great-grandchildren, Athena, Fiona, Gavin, Nina, and Jackson Marsh; and sisters, Leona Hardesty of Bedford and Rachael Cottrell of Richmond. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Leslie Grace Rood, brothers, Reese Wharam and Moody Wharam and sisters, Elnor Dernbecker, Mary Evans, Ruby Finnigan, Cora Herman-Cox and Mary Jane Barber.

Graveside services were held Tuesday, October 7 at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Kercheval Funeral Home, Sheridan, Indiana.