The Reverend Barry Whenal, age 72, died Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center. He was born Jan. 23, 1947 in Exeter, N.H. to John William and Hazel Lovett Whenal. He married Barbara E. Groth on Aug. 8, 1987. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; step-son, Jason Groth; sister-in-law, Annette (Mike) Joneson; brothers-in-law, Charles (Laura) Groth and Richard Groth; nieces. Kathleen, Cheryl, Susan, Jennifer, Kimberly and Laurin; nephews, Eric and Michael; and cousins, Lisa and Amy along with many friends. Barry was raised in North Hampton, N.H. and attended primary and secondary schools there. He graduated in 1969 from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and earned a Masters of Divinity degree from Episcopal Theological School (now Episcopal Divinity School), Cambridge, Mass. in 1972. He was ordained to the Deaconate by the Right Reverend Charles Francis Hall, Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire on June 9, 1972 and to the Priesthood on Dec. 9, 1972 by the Right Reverend Francis W. Lickfield, Bishop of the Diocese of Quincy. He served as priest to parishes in Rock Island, Ill. and Tomah, Mauston, Minocqua, Hartland, Stevens Point, Amherst in Wisconsin and the Adirondack Missions in Upstate New York. He retired from active ministry in January 2004 but continued to minister to parishes as needed until his time of death. He served as Associate Priest at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Salisbury. He served as the first chaplain to two Hospice Chapters, one in Minocqua, WI and the other in Oconomowoc, Wis. He was installed as an honorary canon of the Diocese of Fond du Lac by the Right Reverend Russell Jacobus on Sept. 16, 2008. Bishop Jacobus stated, “This honor is given to you in recognition of the excellence of your priestly ministry and of your long and faithful service as priest of the Church in the Diocese of Fond du Lac. Loyalty, perseverance, sacrificial service and charity have been the marks of your ministry. You have honored your priestly vows and remained constant in your spiritual discipline and the love given to those who have been in your pastoral care.” Barry had a lifelong passion for learning. After his retirement he embarked on a journey to learn foreign languages. He'd been studying Spanish, Romanian, Greek and French. He was instrumental in starting both Spanish and French chat groups on the campus of Trinity Oaks Retirement Community in Salisbury where he and his wife Barb live. He volunteered as a tutor at the Rowan County Literacy Council where the coordinator Laurel Harvey shared these thoughts, “Everyone here at the Literacy Council thought the world of Barry and he exemplified everything we could ever dream of in a tutor: skill, compassion, humor, creativity, and dedication. We will miss him deeply and so will his students.” Memorials: Memorials to celebrate and honor Barry's life have been established to support the English Language Learner's Program and checks may be made payable to Rowan County Literacy Council, PO Box 95, Salisbury, NC 28145. Service: A Burial Eucharist and Committal will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 10 a.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 131 W. Council St., Salisbury. A reception will follow at Trinity Oaks. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Whenal family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

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Published by Salisbury Post on Jun. 2, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Barry Whenal

4 Entries

Eternal Affection Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Janet Jacoby

June 4, 2019

Fr Barry was one amazing servant of God. Always there for his people in time of need. His humor and presence made all the difference in so many lives!

Paul Roth

June 3, 2019

Fr. Whenal had the greatest influence on my life as a Christian; more than any other person. He was the Priest for St. John's Mauston when I was a teenager. In 1977, Fr. Whenal took my brother Christopher and I to Wyoming (Yellowstone NP) and Montana (Glacier NP) for a 16 day camping trip. I was 14 and my brother 11. He was very gracious to my family when we had little money to spare; he only would accept $50 for each of us all else included. We hiked, saw beautiful scenery and wildlife, and frequently had campfires at night. Fr. Whenal told me he became a Christian mainly by observing the awe and majesty of the White Mountains in his native New Hampshire.

In 1979, Fr. Whenal took my brother and I along with 3 other Boy Scouts on a trip to the National Scout Office in New Brunswick, NJ. We also visited Washington DC, Gettysburg, and other sites. Again the cost he accepted was incredibly small. In 1980, while I was away at National Guard basic training, Fr. Whenal took a small group of Boy Scouts including my brother once again on a trip; this time backpacking on Isle Royale NP, an island in Lake Superior. Fr. Whenal frequently invited us boys to participate in Morning and Evening Prayer during these vacations. He always arranged to attend an Episcopal Church on Sunday as well. While in Montana the distance from campsite to Havre Episcopal Church was over 200 miles. We broke camp very early and traveled on an Interstate highway. Fr. Whenal got pulled over for speeding in an effort to get to church. I think it became a warning when the police officer noticed the white collar around his neck and realized that his story was factual.

In 1988, Fr. Whenal served as a co-celebrant for the wedding of myself to my beautiful bride, Sue. We were married at St. Denis Catholic Church in Shiocton, WI. Fr. Whenal gave an excellent homily on the types and virtues of love which was an inspiration to all in attendance.

Over the years since then, we maintained contact and visited about once a year. When Barry and Barb moved to North Carolina we lost touch. I just sent a letter giving an update on my family and asking for information on how they were doing. I invited them to visit if they ever got back to Wisconsin. Barb, if you are reading this, the letter was sent to your Luther Lane Salisbury address about two weeks ago. Hopefully you have received it; if not I can resend it if you send me your current address or I can send it via email.

I am so sad to have lost my friend and Christian mentor, Father Whenal. However, I know that he and I will reunite in God's heavenly kingdom.

Fr. Barry Whenal was and continues to be a tremendous influence on my life. My condolences to Barb, Jason, and the rest of the family. God bless you all in this time of grief.

My wife, then girlfriend, Sue, and I visited Fr. Whenal in Minocqua a few times a year. We would hike, go out to eat, cross country ski, boat, and visit. Barb, became a good friend of ours during this period of time as well.

Gerald and Susan Anderson

June 1, 2019

Gerald and I send our prayers and gratitude for a life well lived as a faithful servant and our love and support to Barb now and in the days ahead. You are always welcome in Rhinelander at St. Augustine's. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Gerald and Susan Anderson

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