Henry J. ‘Hank’ Whelan
Henry J. “Hank” Whelan, 92, of Nappanee, Ind., died at 10:35 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2013, at his residence after a short illness.
He was born March 13, 1921, in Gary, Ind., to Henry J. and Grace (Elder) Whelan. Hank was a graduate of North Webster High School. He Married Ruby Alice Reiff on Feb. 1, 1941, in Columbia City, Ind. She preceded him in death June 20, 2010.
The Whelans moved to Nappanee in 1963 from North Webster. Hank had driven truck for Motor Cargo in Akron, Ohio, for 10 years. He farmed in the North Webster, Ind., area for 10 years. He then worked at Brown Molasses in Bremen, Ind., and became vice president. He retired there at the age of 65.
Mr. Whelan had served as director of Open Door in Nappanee for 27 years, he also served on the Plan Commission in Nappanee. He was a member of the Rotary Club in Syracuse, Ind., and Nappanee and was a past president and Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of the Moose in Elkhart, Ind., and a former member of the Elks in Elkhart.
He was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Bremen and enjoyed attending St. Francis Catholic Church in Pierceton, Ind. Hank enjoyed golfing, flowers and woodworking.
Mr. Whelan is survived by a son: Larry (Helen) Whelan, Nappanee; daughters: Judy Myers, Nappanee; Mary Ann (Dennis) Taylor, Wakarusa, Ind.; grandchildren: Karla (Bob) Stouder, Randy (Nora) Menzie, Rick (Karen) Menzie, Robert Menzie, Rita ( Larry) Seitz, Pam (Tony) Peffley, Diane (Brian) Thomason; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by sons-in-law: Richard Menzie and Mel Myers.
Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, May 6, at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee. The Rosary will be recited at 8 pm. There will be a Prayer Service at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, led by Rev. Janet McFall-Brown. Funeral Services will follow at 10:30 a.m. at St. Dominic Catholic Church led by Father Bob Lingerich.
Memorial contributions may be given to Open Door, The Center for Hospice, of Bremen Hospital.