Richard W. Whelan

Richard W. Whelan, age 88, of Janesville, died on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, at Mercy Hospital & Trauma Center, Janesville. He was born in Delavan on April 11, 1924, the son of John and Nora (Murphy) Whelan. Richard graduated from Darien High School in 1942, and attended Northern Illinois University, from 1946 to 1948. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946, serving under Admiral Forester, Commander of Hawaiian Sea Frontier. He married Jean C. Cammilleri in Beloit in August of 1947. She preceded him in death in 1999. Richard had been employed by Beloit Corp Foundry as an apprentice from 1948 to 1955, Yates American as a Purchasing Agent from 1955 to 1961, Gilman Engineering as Manager of Materials from 1961 to 1971, Youngberg Industries from 1971 to 1974, and was the founder and owner of Rockford Tool Steel Service which merged with Trogren Steel, and was later purchased by Atlas Alloys Steel Mill. He was a longtime member of the Elk’s Lodge and the Kiwanis Club.

He is survived by his daughter, Christine (Stanley) Turney of Tucson, AZ; 2 grandchildren, Todd (Katie) Turney of Fort Collins, CO, and Holly (Barry) Edwards of Los Angeles, CA; 3 great grandchildren: Gwenyth, Elisabeth and Sadie; many other extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, at ST. JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC CHURCH with Rev. Randy Timmerman officiating. A visitation will be held on Friday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in St. Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery, Delavan. Memorials are preferred to St. John Vianney Catholic Church. SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY is assisting the family.

A special thank you to Mercy Hospital and their wonderful staff for their care.