Charles Dana Whelan

1946 - 2024

Charles Dana Whelan

1946 - 2024

Centerville, UT-Charles Dana Whelan, 78, of Centerville Utah cashed in his chips on July 25, 2024 with his wife Pam and daughter Debbie by his side.

He was the long-awaited, and only, child of Anna Ellen Dana and Charles A. Whelan born in Mesa, Arizona January 10, 1946. He had a wonderful youth growing up in Southern California in the shadows of the Hollywood movie studios where much of his family worked. He knew a young man's life of adventure and outdoors spending time fishing, surfing, swimming, hiking, riding horses, playing baseball, football, golf and even alpine skiing.

Dana eventually worked for Universal Studios and assisted in the creation of many films. While he was working, in Kanab UT, as an extra and set design assistant on the film "McKenna's Gold" he felt the call to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to serve in the Ohio Mission where he served with honor.

On his mission he met Barbara Noble whom he later married in 1971. Barbara and Dana were married for 25 years and resided in Centerville, Utah with their six children. The Whelan house in Centerville was always known as the best spot in Davis County to get a good scare on Halloween because the family always went the extra mile in decorating the house and yard and Dana always made sure he had the scariest costume he could find.

In 2002 Dana met Pamela Harris on a blind date and they soon fell in love and were married. Pam has (tolerated his teasing) and loved Dana for the past two decades and has been his constant companion. They have enjoyed raising dogs together, visiting grandkids, gardening, and cooking together. Pam and Dana have been an inseparable pair for nearly a quarter century as they have navigated aging bodies and family dynamics with kids and grandkids spread all across the United States. They made an annual trip to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving to visit family where Dana liked to partake in two of his favorite pastimes - gambling and casino buffets! Dana was sure he had figured out a sure-fire way to "beat the house" while gambling; and, if he didn't, at least he got to eat a good meal before he left!

Dana spent 40 years as a truck driver for Milne Truck Lines and Yellow Freight retiring in 2011. He logged millions of miles seeing the world through the windshield of a triple-trailer semi truck. He was a jack of all trades and was always eager to help a friend fix or construct a project. He was also a perfectionist, which meant he has a lot of projects started...but... I guess we will FINALLY get him to admit that we are going to need to call somebody else to finish the rest.

Dana loved to spend time with family on the boat at Lake Powell. He loved to thrill his kids/grandkids with daredevil adventures on the tubes behind the boat as much as he loved to watch their excitement as they pulled in a big striper or cutthroat trout. He loved to make memories and be with family as much as possible. Although, you never wanted a quiet moment to arrive while in his presence because, to break the silence, he could stop your heart with a booming rendition of:

Oh! my daddy made a fiddle and he made it out of wood, it was the best darn fiddle in the neighborhood!

He loved to cook and make food. He was a master with the smoker in the backyard. He also owned almost every gadget advertised on late night television if it involved cooking/preparing food. If it made food look good, taste good, or somehow better it is probably located in his kitchen... or garage.

Dana had a big personality and made friends wherever he went. There are many family and friends who love and will miss him on this side of the veil. We are confident that Chuck and Ann are happy to have their long-awaited, and only, son back in their arms again. We are also sure he is feeding cheeseburgers to his favorite dog Aussie somewhere in the halls of heaven as we speak.

When speaking of Dana it isn't strange for the term "the best" to come up in the discussion. Much of what he did got a reputation for excellence. Many of those things are now family folklore. Sadly, sometimes his relationships didn't always achieve the same level of consistent excellence. He wasn't always easy to know and sometimes he wasn't easy to love. Still, he was ours and he was always there when he was needed. We look forward to a future day when we can meet again and that, given time and perspective, we will experience the perfecting love of a savior that will allow us to label all things as "the best."

Dana leaves behind a wife Pamela Harris Whelan, four daughters and two sons: Cori, Scott (Briana), Cathy (Eric) Roberts, Debbie Faehnrich, David (Andrea), Kristin (Ryan) Smith; and step-daughter Corinne (Brian) Yardley; and 17 grandchildren: Sean Lewis; Kollin (Jessica), Dalton, Caden, Rylan Whelan; Alyssa, Christian (Susan), Abby, Sydnee, Sophie Roberts; Devon, Lindsey, Emily Faehnrich; Chloe, Avery, Eden Whelan; Whitney, Weston, and Waverly Yardley.

Dana was preceded in death by his grandsons Rylan Whelan, Devon Faehnrich; and, son-in-law Ryan Smith and his beloved dog Aussie.

Thank you to the many nurses and specialists at Highland Care Center who made Dana's last year more comfortable and as enjoyable as it possibly could be under the circumstances.

A Memorial will be held August 10, 2024, at 1:00pm, in the cultural hall of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chase Lane Building at 1125 North 400 West, Centerville, UT 84014. Casual dress - Dana liked things casual.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dana's name to a charity of your choosing.