Edward Hugh "Coonie" Whalen

1929 - 2025

Edward "Ed" Hugh Whalen, 96, passed away on November 7, 2025 at St. Luke's Hospital in Meridian, Idaho, with his daughter Wendy Bossetti by his side.

Ed was born in Gonzales, California on October 29,1929 to parents Hugh and Charlotte Whalen and had one sister, MaryEllen DeLima. He graduated from Gonzales High School in 1947, enlisted in the US Navy in 1948, and later served in the US Army Reserve (1956–1959). In 1951, he married Ethel Glenzer and welcomed their only daughter Wendy in 1952, the same year he was honorably discharged. Shortly after, Ed began working at Soledad Prison as a Correctional Officer.

Balancing full-time work and college, Ed earned a Sociology and Corrections degree from San Jose State University in 1967 and got promoted to Correctional Counselor. In 1971, Ed transferred to Salinas as a Parole Agent. Throughout his career, Ed sponsored various inmate cultural and music programs and served on the boards of Friends Outside and the Monterey County Alcohol and Drug Advisory Committees.

He married Allene Holzwart in 1986 and retired in 1988 after 36 years with CDC. They moved to Idaho in 2011, where he was active in the Senior Program and served as its president.

A passionate history buff, Ed loved sharing interesting facts-like being born on the day of the 1929 stock market crash. He learned from his family at a young age the value of a dollar and a strong work ethic. Ed was a life-long jazz music lover, collecting 50 years of programs and friendships with the musicians and staff at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Ed is survived by his wife of 39 years, Allene; his daughter, Wendy (Denis) Bossetti; grandchildren, Patrick (Sheila) Bossetti and Camille (West) Upton; great grandchildren, Austin (Skylar) Bossetti (Berkeley), Maddison Bossetti (Rocklin) and Phillip Bossetti, Emma and Jax Upton (Chico); niece, Margie Winemberg (Oakland); and cousins, Christian (Gerilynn) and Mikaela Winemberg (Las Vegas) and Jan (David) Guzman and Richard (Sylvia) Prader of Salinas, CA; step-children, Terry (Jim) Hewitt, Jody (Mike) Teresa (Idaho), Ed Holzwart (Salinas), and Ted (Kathleen) Holzwart (Groveland, CA).

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 10:30 am at Gonzales Cemetery, 1000 US 101, Gonzales, CA. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity.