1935
John
2013
John Whalen
September 26, 1935 — July 26, 2013
John R. Whalen, 77 of Eldora, died on Friday, July 26, 2013 at Ellsworth Memorial Hospital in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, July 30 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Eldora with Father Tony Kruse celebrating. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Eldora with military honors provided by Walter-Sayer Post #182 of the American Legion and Roll-Harless #3974 of the V.F. W. Vigil services will begin at 4:30 pm on Monday at Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora with visitation following from 5 pm to 8 pm. Online condolences may be posted at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.
Born in Marshalltown, IA on Sept 26, 1935. John graduated from UNI with a Masters of Social Work. John proudly served our country in the United States Army for 22 years, he was a Vietnam Vet. He then went to work for the Eldora Training School for 20 years.
John was very active in his community serving a term as Mayor of Eldora. He was also involved in Saint Mary's Catholic Church. John was past Commander of American Legion Post 182, Knights of Columbus, VFW, and Meals on Wheels to name a few.
John truly enjoyed being with family and friends and serving his community. John did not know a stranger. He truly embodied the phrase "Love of God, Country, and Family". John gave in death as he gave in life as an organ/tissue donor.
Surviving is his wife, Bonnie; children, Laura (Randy) Kramer of Steamboat Rock, Richard (Evonne) Whalen of Ankeny, Angela (Gary) Thode of Ottumwa, Jeff Whalen of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Colette (Tom) Pittman of Omaha, Nebraska, Shawn (Lisa) Whalen of Carlisle, and Patty (Pat) Rooney of Donnellson; sisters, Joan (Frank) Ryan of Omaha and Bonnie (Richard) Agan of Florida; brothers, Dan (Barb) Whalen of Naperville, Illinois and Michael Whalen of Florida; and by 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association.
Born in Marshalltown, IA on Sept 26, 1935. John graduated from UNI with a Masters of Social Work. John proudly served our country in the United States Army for 22 years, he was a Vietnam Vet. He then went to work for the Eldora Training School for 20 years.
John was very active in his community serving a term as Mayor of Eldora. He was also involved in Saint Mary's Catholic Church. John was past Commander of American Legion Post 182, Knights of Columbus, VFW, and Meals on Wheels to name a few.
John truly enjoyed being with family and friends and serving his community. John did not know a stranger. He truly embodied the phrase "Love of God, Country, and Family". John gave in death as he gave in life as an organ/tissue donor.
Surviving is his wife, Bonnie; children, Laura (Randy) Kramer of Steamboat Rock, Richard (Evonne) Whalen of Ankeny, Angela (Gary) Thode of Ottumwa, Jeff Whalen of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Colette (Tom) Pittman of Omaha, Nebraska, Shawn (Lisa) Whalen of Carlisle, and Patty (Pat) Rooney of Donnellson; sisters, Joan (Frank) Ryan of Omaha and Bonnie (Richard) Agan of Florida; brothers, Dan (Barb) Whalen of Naperville, Illinois and Michael Whalen of Florida; and by 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association.
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