James F. Whalen

1930 - 2009

James F. Whalen, 78, of Waverly, died Tuesday, June 16, 2009, at Illinois Veterans' Home in Quincy.

He was born Oct. 14, 1930, in Jacksonville, the son of Richard and Mary Frances Allen Whalen. He married Patricia Hayes on May 4, 1957, at the Church of Our Saviour in Jacksonville, and she survives.

He is also survived by four children, Jim (wife, Pat) Whalen of Waverly, Tim Whalen of Payson, Julie (husband, Matt) Couturiaux of Waverly and Jon (wife, Holly) Whalen of Franklin; 10 grandchildren, Drew, Alison and Derek Whalen, Kaitlyn and Ryan Couturiaux, Kelsey and Kacie Whalen and Hannah, Natalie and Lewis Wallbaum; and one sister, Elizabeth (husband, Bill) Kindred of Jacksonville. He was preceded in death by one son, David Whalen; one sister, Helen Bieller (surviving husband, Jerry of Waverly); and one brother, Richard Whalen (surviving wife, Bernice of Franklin).

Mr. Whalen was a grain dealer for 35 years in Waverly, and later retired from the State of Illinois Department of Mental Health. He was a member of the Waverly High School Class of 1948 and attended Notre Dame University. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

Mr. Whalen was a member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Waverly. He was a lifetime member of Waverly VFW Post 4866 and a member of the Waverly American Legion. He was a fan of Notre Dame football and enjoyed playing cards, antique cars and spending time with his grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Waverly, with burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Franklin. Friends may call after 12 noon on Friday at the Neece-Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Waverly, where the family will meet friends from 4-7 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday. Memorials are suggested to Waverly VFW Post 4866 or Waverly Fire and Rescue. The Neece-Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Waverly is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.