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Wilfred Whelan

February 11, 1924 - July 2, 2011
Vicksburg, MI

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Visitation

Saturday, July 16, 2011
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Vicksburg Location
409 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697
Driving Directions

Service

Saturday, July 16, 2011
1:00 PM EDT
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Vicksburg Location
409 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 22478
Oklahoma City, OK 73123
(800) 227-2345
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Rosewood Flowers & Gifts
118 South Main St.
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(877) 649-1685
Map
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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When Wilfred Whelan was around life could be so much fun as he was known to pull a prank or two. He had a strong work ethic as a constant companion and wholeheartedly immersed himself in whatever task was at hand whether great or small. Wilfred was a man of strength who embraced both the great joys and the deep sorrows of life with his character intact. He spent the best years of his life alongside his true love with whom he took in so much of what life has to offer. The memories Will leaves behind will become a lasting treasure for his friends and loved ones.

The decade of the 1920s was predominantly a time of great prosperity in America as innovation paved the way for advancements in both the business and industrial sectors that would forever change the cultural fabric of our nation. Nestled within this colorful time was the year 1924 that boasted of countless noteworthy events of its own including the establishment of the IBM Corporation, the beginning of airmail service within our borders, and two Army planes that made the first round-the-world flight. This was a year to remember for one family from Kalamazoo, Michigan, since they were overjoyed with the birth of a healthy baby boy on February 11th. Wilfred was the younger of two children born to his parents, Frank and Frances (Waite) Whelan, joining his sister, Ruth, in his family. He was raised in Kalamazoo where he attended local schools. After graduating from high school, Wilfred went on to Western Michigan University, graduating with a teaching degree. It was also as a young man that Will served as a paratrooper in the United States Army during WWII. By the time his military duty was fulfilled, he was a master sergeant.

Wilfred’s working years found him in a couple of different industries throughout his life’s journey. After teaching at Lawton and Climax school systems, he spent several years at Simmons Ford in Vicksburg. Later, he took a job with Independent Elevator Company where he spent several years in sales and accounting until he retired. Many would agree that Will’s retirement years looked much different than the lives of most people when they retire in that he remained in the work force.

New and exciting changes were in store for Wilfred when he met the woman with whom he would share an abiding love. Her name was Arlene (Doolittle) Paddock and they met at church. They found they had many things in common during the following weeks and months and after falling deeply in love, Will and Arlene became husband and wife on October 25, 1963, in Prince George’ s County, Maryland. At the time of their union, Will had two sons and Arlene had two children as well. For many years Wilfred and his family lived on Indian Lake where he enjoyed so many different aspects of lakeside living as he loved both boating and sailing. As their children grew older and established families of their own, Will couldn’t have been happier since he loved having his family, especially his grandchildren, out to the lake.

For more than forty years, Will and Arlene shared a fulfilling and fun loving marriage together. They enjoyed leaving the cold Michigan winters behind and spending the season at their second home in Florida for many years. Wilfred was known for making life interesting for his wife as he was a tremendous flirt around the house. He was deeply saddened with the death of his beloved Arlene in 2007. Soon after, Will moved to Bowman House, an assisted living center in Three Rivers, where he remained throughout the rest of his life.

Through the life of Wilfred Whelan we are reminded that life is a gift and that it is only through loving others that we are richly blessed. His friends and family always knew to be on the ready for a practical joke or two as his pranks were legendary. Will honorably served his country during a time of great need and worked hard in everything he did. He will be deeply missed and warmly remembered by those whose lives he touched.

Wilfred died Saturday, July 2, 2011. Wilfred’s family includes his children, Dianne (Dell) Matter, Terry (Zippy) Elan, Jeff (Julie) Whelan, Dennis (Nancy) Paddock; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and sister, Ruth (Ted) McHold. The family will receive friends Saturday, July 16 from 12-1 p.m. followed by a service that will begin at 1 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Home 409 S. Main St. Vicksburg (649-1697). Please visit Wilfred’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, make a donation to the American Cancer Society and sign his guestbook online before coming to the funeral home.

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