Arthur Edward Whalen, Jr, 88, passed away peacefully at Rainbow Hospice in Johnson Creek on January 06, 2021. He was born May 12, 1932 to Arthur and Helen (Czarnecki) Whalen on the family farm in Darien, WI. He married Patricia (Downs) on February 19, 1955 in Lake Geneva, WI. Together they had 7 children. He was a proud lifetime member of the Operating Engineers Union Local 139, working for B.R. Amon and Sons in Elkhorn, WI until his retirement in 1997. After retirement he spent many mornings at Elizabeth’s Cafe and the West Wind Diner, where he enjoyed sipping coffee while visiting with friends. He also volunteered his time for the Walworth County Fair, where he was a lifetime member, as well as the Dairy Goat Superintendent. He enjoyed spending time tinkering on his farm in Darien and at the Cabin in Wautoma. His final months during the pandemic were spent on his farm, where he enjoyed driving around on the golf cart with Teddy, his dog. Arthur is survived by his son Ronald (Cindy) Whalen of Delavan; daughters Kathy (Michael) Burch of Sheboygan, LuCinda (John) Settlemyer of Montross, VA, Tammy Gasior of Eau Claire, Dawn (David) Reynolds of Wautoma, and Mary Lou of Wautoma. He is also survived by grandchildren Dan Whalen, Susan (Michael) Larison, Scott (Beth) Whalen, Melisa (Bob) Andrews, David (Daniele) Hitz, Ryan (Elizabeth) Burch, John Settlemyer, Julia Settlemyer and Andrew Jordan as well as great-grandchildren Jason, William, Lane, Stephanie, Carter, Olivia, Liam, Sarah, Hannah, Elijah, Haley, Maddie, and Ella. He is furthered survived by his sister Patricia (Thomas) Barkas of Allens Grove, WI and extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Patricia; his parents Arthur and Helen; a daughter Debbie Hitz; and granddaughter Diane Hitz.
Family would like to extend a special thank you to Tara and Rob.
On Saturday, May 15, 2021, Open Visitation will be held from 9:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. at the Lions Shelter at Veterans Memorial Park, 69 W. Walworth Avenue in Delavan. Due to COVID limitations, a private family memorial mass for Arthur will take at 11:00 A.M. at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Delavan where he was a lifelong member. Following the mass, a Committal Service that anyone who wishes may attend at St. Andrews Cemetery.
Memorials can be directed to the Walworth County Fair Foundation, Goat Project PO Box 286 Elkhorn, WI 53121.
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