Jeff J. Whelan Sr.

Jeff Joseph Whelan Sr.

The City of DeKalb has lost a legend. Jeff Joseph Whelan, Sr. passed peacefully at his home in the company of his loving wife, Jana, on February 6, 2024. He was 82. Jeff had fought a 4-year battle with Parkinson’s disease and finally decided that he’d had enough. 

            Born in Chicago, Illinois on January 21, 1942, Jeff was one of 13 children making up the large, Irish Catholic Whelan clan. Jeff attended St. Mel’s Catholic School in Chicago and from there went on to study broadcasting, his sights set on becoming the next hit DJ. 

            One day in 1963, Jeff happened to be in DeKalb and decided he was hungry. He found The Oaks Drive-In (now the familiar pumpkin stand on the corner of Rt. 23 and Greenwood Acres Drive) and who should be his waitress that day but the young Jana White who, on December 14, 1963, became his wife. The couple spent time in Forest Park, River Forest and Oak Park and somewhere in there had their first child, Jeff, Jr.. Then, in 1967, the trio moved to DeKalb and three years later Jeff and Jana had their second child, Julie. 

            Jeff did work in broadcasting for a short while in the late 60s, pulling gigs at WLBK and at WRHL in Rochelle. After a time, he gave up his broadcasting ambitions to pursue the field of opticianry. He was hired by The DeKalb Optometric Association in 1969 and remained a fixture at that institution for 48 years. If you’re over a certain age, live in the DeKalb area and wear glasses, chances are Jeff Whelan made them and adjusted them to fit your face. Thousands of patients sat across the table from Jeff over the years as he adjusted their glasses and made small talk. 

            Jeff was very active in the DeKalb community. He served on the CornFest committee for 25 years and was CornFest Chair for two of those years. Jeff was an active member of the local Knights of Columbus Council 717 for 35 years and served twice as Grand Knight. He was a member of St. Mary’s Parish in DeKalb and always enjoyed organizing and participating in community projects. He was a reader for the Northern Illinois Radio Information Service and served as co-chair of the annual Firemen and Policemen of DeKalb County Appreciation dinner. 

           Perhaps because he was from Chicago, Jeff came with plenty of political ambition. He kept it local and ran twice for 3rd Ward Alderman. Once he and Jana moved to the 10th District, he ran for and was elected to the DeKalb County Board where he served for 13 years. He served on the board of the Northern Illinois Workforce for 3 years, was a member of the DeKalb County Mitigation Committee, a 4-year member of the DeKalb County Mental Health Board and served on the Planning and Zoning Committee. Jeff served on the Law and Justice Committee as well as the Forest Preserve District Commission, the Highway Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee. Jeff also served 15 years on the Liquor Commission and was a former President of the Operating Board of the DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center. 

         Jeff took great pride in his family and his community and stayed very active until his disease started to get the better of him. Even then, it was hard to keep him down. He was able to spend his last night surrounded by his loved ones at home, which was just what he wanted. 

         Jeff is survived by his wife, Jana, and his son, Jeff (Amy), both of DeKalb, and by his grandsons, Liam and Donovan. Also, his brother, Dan (Kathy) Whelan of Aurora and his sisters Alice (Bob) Arnott of WI, Katie Havert of IN and Fern Tolemy of SC. 

        Jeff was preceded in death by his daughter, Julie, and his brothers Edward, Michael, Patrick and John and his sisters Dorothy Morris and Mary Chavez. 

         Memorial Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Finch Funeral Home with Celebration of Life service at 6:00pm with Deacon Steve Puscas officiating.  In lieu of flowers, those who would like may make a donation in Jeff’s honor to Heartland Hospice, Attn: Amy Swanson, 6000 E. State St., Rockford, IL  61108 or to the charity of your choice. 

       Gonna miss you, Pops. We’re so very proud of you. 

Cremation rites were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.