Don Whelan, 94, died Jan. 27 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born Oct. 19, 1919 in Sharon, he was the son of Joe and Florence (McKeever) Whelan. In 1938 he graduated from Great Bend High School. In June 1947, he married Phyllis Kay Niswonger in Great Bend. She died on Feb. 10, 2008. A lifetime resident of Great Bend he was Vice-President of the First National Bank, was a partner in the JoDonCee Skating Rink, and was involved in ranching in Barber County.
Mr. Whelan was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving during World War II. He was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Kansas Bankers Association, Elks Lodge #1127, American Legion Argonne Post 180, and an active member of Great Bend Chamber of Commerce.
Survivors include two sisters, LaRaine McLeland and Theda Jo Wendel and her husband Jerry, all of Great Bend; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Cecil Whelan.
A Vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend. Burial will be at the Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to BCC Foundation to benefit the Don and Phyllis Whelan Academic Scholarship Fund, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net
    
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home*
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, Ks. 67530
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Jan. 28, 2014