NAPPANEE – Henry J. “Hank” Whelan, 92, of Nappanee, died at 10:35 p.m. May 3, 2013, in his residence, after a short illness. He was born March 13, 1921, in Gary, to Henry J. and Grace Elder Whelan. On Feb. 1, 1941, in Columbia City, he married Ruby Alice Reiff, who died June 20, 2010. He graduated from North Webster High School. He moved to Nappanee from North Webster in 1963. He had driven truck for Motor Cargo, Akron, Ohio, for 10 years, farmed in the North Webster area for 10 years then worked at Brown Molasses, Bremen, and became vice president, retiring when he was 65. He had served as director of Open Door, Nappanee, for 27 years, and served on the plan commission in Nappanee. He was a member of the Rotary Club, Syracuse, and Nappanee; Moose Lodge, Elkhart; and St. Dominic Catholic Church, Bremen. He was a past president and Paul Harris Fellow; a former member of Elks Lodge, Elkhart; and attended St. Francis Catholic Church, Pierceton. Surviving are a son, Larry (and spouse Helen) Whelan, Nappanee; daughters, Judy Myers, Nappanee, and Mary Ann (and spouse Dennis) Taylor, Wakarusa; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Dominic Catholic Church officiated by Father Bob Lingerich. Calling is from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, with rosary recited at 8 p.m. There will be at prayer service at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, officiated by the Rev. Janet McFall-Brown. ***** Memorials may be given to Open Door, The Center for Hospice or Bremen Hospital.
