Daniel Whelan's Obituary
Daniel Whelan, 52 years of Columbia, IL, passed away on October 27, 2017 at Barnes Jewish Medical Center, St. Louis, MO. He was born October 11, 1965, in St. Louis, MO. He was married to Laura, nee Edgar, Whelan, who survives him.
Dan was renowned for winning the October 1965 Cutest Baby award for St. Mary’s Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. He also distinguished himself as a newspaper delivery boy in Joliet, a line cook at Schnuck’s Station Restaurant, a tree trimmer and a bus maintainer for Saint Louis University Transit System. He was a graduate of the 1985 class of Althoff Catholic High School, where he was the unforgettable, inaugural “Captain Crusader.” Dan graduated in 1988 from Parks College of Saint Louis University with a degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering where he also played soccer. Dan entered the United States Air Force on February 10, 1988 and he attained the distinction of Command Pilot flying the C-141 Starlifter in the 4th Airlift Squadron. He was an instructor pilot for Airdrop and Air Refueling. A veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Storm, he received the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, and other ribbons and awards. He was honorably discharged from active duty on February 15, 1996 at the rank of Captain. He served three more years in the Air Force Reserves attaining the rank of Major. Dan then achieved Captain in a second career while fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming an airline pilot. He flew for Southwest Airlines for 20 years transporting thousands of souls across the continental United States. He married his high school sweetheart, Laura Edgar Whelan, and they have four children and two grandchildren in their 27 years of marriage. Dan was a soccer, volleyball and track and field coach for 25 years. He was also a guest lecturer at St. Francis Cabrini in Lakewood, WA, and Immaculate Conception School in Columbia, IL. In his 52 years, Dan visited 84 countries on six continents, ran 10 marathons and one triathlon. He was a six time Yellow Jersey and two-time King of the Mountain winner in his six Pedal the Cause events raising $43,856.89 for cancer research. Dan cooked for the Cairo Outreach Trip for Immaculate Conception Youth Group for 12 years and considered himself the ACTS Retreat Spiritual “Misdirector". He enjoyed training service dogs for Got Your 6 Support Dogs. In his free time, Dan was the recognized curator of more than 50 Hawaiian print shirts, the Director of Operations for Whelan Stage Hands International, a restorer of a 1969 Airstream, a boat builder, and owner of eclectic cars with “Louie the Pinto” being his favorite. His family considered him a master packer as well as a master chef. Today, he is Mom’s favorite.
Also surviving are his mother, Patricia L., nee Welsh, Whelan, three daughters, Catie (Phil) Evans, Mary Margaret Whelan, and Jane Whelan; and son, Nick Whelan; granddaughters, Ally and Maddy Evans; nine brothers, Stephen (Patty) Whelan, Tim (Sylvia) Whelan, Mike Whelan, Kevin (Cindy) Whelan, Thom (Christine) Whelan, Patrick (Bryant) Whelan, Dr. Greg (Sandy) Whelan, Marty (Sue) Whelan, and Matt (Terry) Whelan; two sisters, Monica (Dick) O'Conner, and Moira (Jason) McNamara, along with other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Paul A. Whelan.
Dan and the family owe gratitude beyond measure to Dan’s care team, especially William Hawkins, M.D., David Linnehan, M.D., Sally Giorgi, the staff of the 16th floor at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the Missouri Baptist Hospital Infusion Center. To the countless people who offered care, prayers, and support for the past 10 years, thank you.
Visitation will be on Thursday, November 2, 2017, 3:00 pm - 8:30 pm, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church - Garden (lower) Level, 411 Palmer Road, Columbia, IL, and on Friday, November 3, 9:00 am - 9:45 am, at the church prior to Mass. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 10:00 am, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Fr. Carl Scherrer officiating. Interment will follow in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.
In respect for Dan and the family’s wishes, those attending the wake and the funeral are requested not to wear black; Hawaiian print is preferred. In lieu of floral tributes, please consider donating to The Paul A. Whelan Aviation Scholarship, Pedal the Cause, or Got Your 6 STSD Service Support Dogs. For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com.
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