Joseph Whalen

Joseph “Joe” Edward Whalen, Jr, 81, born in Urbana, IL on July 14, 1942, died suddenly on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Wichita Falls, Texas. Joe was born to Joseph Whalen and Florence Hannagan Whalen, raised in Champaign County, on Bryanwood Farm, Penfield, Illinois. The marriage of Joe and Joan Whalen was blessed with a son, Joseph Edward Whalen, III. Joe is survived by his wife, Patsy Whalen, of Wichita Falls, TX, his son, Joe, III, Silver Spring, MD and four siblings, Gregory Whalen, Penfield, IL; Paul (Suzi) Whalen, Brownsburg, IN; Kathi Whalen (Pete Piccirilli), Louisville, KY; Jeanne Whalen, Peoria, IL; and many nieces and nephews. Joe graduated from St Lawrence School, Penfield, and Rantoul Township High School in 1960. He attended St Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, IN, where he earned his bachelor's degree. While at St Joseph’s, Joe was a member of the football team, the Pumas, where he set several punting records that still exist today. His special-team skills led him to sign a professional football contract with the Montreal Alouettes, compete in two training camps - with the New York Giants and with the Buffalo Bills, and have a tryout with the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe served three years in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged. At heart, Joe was a teacher. He was a good teacher. As a Civilian Instructor at Chanute Air Force Base, Rantoul, IL, he had found a ‘classroom for life’. With the closing of Chanute in 1993, the Technical Training School moved to Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, TX. The Air Force persuaded Joe to transfer to Sheppard where he was later recognized by the Air Force for his exceptional teaching skills. Joe was a devout Catholic. He received his Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation - from St Lawrence Church, Penfield, IL. And it is from St Lawrence Church that he will be buried. A Funeral Mass will be Friday, April 26, 2024, at 11:00 AM, at St Lawrence Church, Penfield, IL. Burial will immediately follow the Mass, in St Lawrence Cemetery, Penfield. For those unable to attend the Mass, Joe’s family will be available to greet family and friends before Mass in the parish hall at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Birthright of Champaign 201 W Springfield Avenue, Suite 206 Champaign, IL 61820 OR St Lawrence Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, c/o St Lawrence Church, PO Box 49 Penfield, IL 61862.

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