WILLIAM D. WHALEN February 17, 1929 - February 3, 2016 William "Bill" D. Whalen, 86, of rural Seneca passed Wednesday February 3, 2016 at the Ottawa Pavilion. Bill was born February 17, 1929 in Streator to Vincent & Irene (Hennessey) Whalen. He was a 1947 graduate of Newark High School. He entered the US Army in 1950 and served as a Sargent during the Korean Conflict until 1951. He married Carole Brown December 31, 1956. Carole passed November 17, 2014. He was a quality control inspector at the Caterpillar Tractor Co. in Montgomery until his retirement in 1988. He then worked for the Newark Farmers Grain Co, now the Elburn Coop, until 2009. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #790 in Streator, the American Legion Post #729 and the NRA. He is survived by his four sons, Jerry (Lois) Whalen of Seneca, James (Brenda) Whalen of Seneca, John H. (Cindy) Whalen of Sheridan, Jeff (Wendy) Whalen of Chicago; his two daughters, Judy Kelly of Wheaton, Jolene (David) Ciolino of Aurora; eleven grandchildren, Ryan (Stephanie) Whalen, Megan (Tim) Gunier, Samantha (Christine) Bennington, Kayla Kelly, John T. (fiancé Nicole Baxter) Whalen, Brian (Sarah) Cluever, Casey Ciolino, Erin Ciolino, Jenna (fiancé Pete Phau) Whalen, Justina Whalen, Oakley Whalen; two great grandchildren, Emma Gunier and Ainsley Whalen. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother John M. Whalen. A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday, February 8th and a funeral service 10:00 a.m. Tuesday with Pastor Rex Howe officiating at the Gabel-Dunn Funeral Home Ltd. in Sheridan. Interment will be at the West Serena Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his sons, Jerry Whalen, James Whalen, John H. Whalen, Jeff Whalen; grandsons, Ryan Whalen, John T. Whalen and Casey Ciolino. Memorials may be directed to the West Serena Cemetery Assn, c/o Robert Kember, 3917 E. 20th Rd, Serena, IL. 60549. Bill wanted everyone to know how proud he was to be an Irish Catholic Democrat. Gabel-Dunn Funeral Home Ltd. 333 W. Church St., Sheridan, IL. 60551-0027 Phone 815-496-3 www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com