May 19, 1960 – August 11, 2021
ZEBULON – Kevin Edward Whelan, 61, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. He was born in Quantico, Virginia to Jack and Joyce (Mascia) Whelan, and spent most of his childhood in Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit.
He attended Xavier University, where he made lifelong friends and met the love of his life, Maureen (Neenan) Whelan, his wife of 39 years.
He lived most of his adult life in Dearborn, Michigan, where he hosted cookouts, golfed, baked bread, played basketball, and emcee’d the Camp Dearborn Campfire Awards, often surrounded by a large group of dear friends.
He was the life of the party, with his booming voice and encyclopedic knowledge of music. He loved to laugh and enjoy life to its fullest — good food, cold beer, great company.
His family and his marriage were his greatest sources of pride.
He is preceded in death by his father.
He is survived by his beloved wife, his “Fanny,” Maureen; mother “Pep”; children, Daniel Whelan, Kevin Whelan (Kimberly), Bridget Whelan (Calvin Crase), Elizabeth Whelan; siblings, John Whelan (Donna), Maureen Decker (Jim), Mary Ellen Sheehy (John), Kathleen Whelan, Tom Whelan (Michele); grandchildren, Shane, Nora, Rory, Louisa and Caroline; and was “Uncle Buddy” to many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions in Kevin’s memory may be made to Forgotten Harvest (https://www.forgottenharvest.org/) or the American Brain Foundation (https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org).
Please join the family in celebrating Kevin’s life at a funeral mass, 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 21, at Our Lady of Victory Church in Northville, MI.
Arrangements with Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, 211 W. Third Street, Wendell. www.stricklandfuneral.com
13 Comments
We are heartbroken to hear of Kevin’s passing. We are fortunate to be long time friends of Kevin and Maureen and their wonderful family…remembering so many fun times! Kevin had such a presence that once you were around him you knew there would be much fun, laughter, music and fantastic food! He will be missed greatly and never forgotten. God bless and Rest In Peace Kevin. Many prayers for you and your entire family. 💕
My heart aches. I have the fondest memories of our rounds of golf and BBQ at the Walen’s. Kevin always had a special way he said hi to me and always made me feel special. He had a contagious laugh and a big heart. I will always remember the party at our house one evening to celebrate the end of the golf season when Kevin and Mark stayed into the wee hours shooting hoops in our backyard. My deepest condolences to you, Maureen, and your family. He was a special person and no one can fill his shoes. God bless you both.
Kevin Edward Whelan
What will we miss?
Your booming baritone voice, your fondness for lite beers, your good short golf game, the friends backyard barbecues especially the pig roast, your eclectic collection of music, how you would break out into song singing the lyrics as the night progressed, how you loved to “discuss” opposing viewpoints on almost any subject with Mr. Z, the days spent at Camp Dearborn, did I mention your booming baritone?
Kevin, you will be truly missed!
Maureen, Danny, Kevin Jr, Bridget, and Elizabeth, we are so sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Fond memories of Kevin where I shared 4 years on the Xavier campus with him at parties and classes. My deepest sympathy to his dear family and friends.
We are so blessed to have Kevin in our lives. We watched our children grow up together and could always count on Kevin cheering, complimenting and caring about our entire gang. He will be greatly missed and Maureen, his children and grandchildren will forever be in our hearts and our lives
Micki and I offer all of our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to Maureen and the kids. Many of our fondest memories of Kevin include I row at Camp Dearborn and the Friday Night Couples League. I remember a time when Kevin dared our daughter Meredith to hit one over his head at the parents-kids softball game. He would still be running if he chose to chase it. He and Mark staying on our deck until God knows when. Actually God had nothing to do with it. Until the beer (which I mistakenly left out in a cooler) was gone. 4 am? We shall miss the loud talking, his vigorous swings at the golf ball to little avail, his energy. But most of all we’ll miss his huge kind heart. He was truly one-of-a-kind. Our lives are much richer because we were blessed to know him and his family. A life well lived.
Maureen and Family,
It is with such sadness that we learned of Kevin’s passing from
Facebook this morning. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers. We have such fun memories of Kevin and his kindness to everyone he met. He had the nicest way of listening to you, asking questions about your life and wanting to make every encounter you had with him special. His laughter filled a room and brought joy to everyone around him. We pray for you Maureen, the kids and your grandchildren as you grieve his passing and pray God will provide you with strength. Thank you for sharing Kevin with all of us. We are better for knowing him. Sending our love to all of you.
Thoughts and prayers to the wonderful Whelan Family! My family had the pleasure of getting to know the Whelan’s thru Elizabeth at CHUP. Their youngest, our oldest. Our memories continued at Divine Child. Such great memories! Thoughts and prayers to you all.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you Maureen and your family. It is with great fondness when we think of Kevin and all the good times that were had playing golf on Friday nights and always looking forward to the fall Whelan Golf Outing. The Christmas parties and the get-togethers over the years were made brighter by his laughter and good cheer and always had everyone smiling. There’s a special spot in heaven for people like him. He will be missed!
Maureen, we cannot comprehend your loss. We feel lucky to have spent so much time in the company of your family. Kevin was always so full of life, and yes that beautiful, booming voice is our first thought of him always. May your memories, children and grandchildren be a comfort in the coming days.
My memories of Mr. Whelan are of a man who was always happy to see you and genuinely interested in learning the latest happenings of your life, no matter how much time had passed. His sincerity and kindness were incredible traits of a wonderful man. Sending love and condolences to the Whelan family.
We will always remember…..
babies, Divine Child, weddings & grandbabies
the Whelans, Neenans, Reeds & Zalupskis
chicken fat, Chicago softball, golf & tennis
Levagood Park, Camp Dearborn, up North visits & Florida
backyard patios, barbeques & Homecomings at Ford Field
picnics, Christmas dinners, & a zillion parties
loud discussions, laughter & tears
We lived it all with you! Thank you for the wonderful memories. We love you Kevin.
Farewell our cherished friend!
Mark & Ellen
Dear Maureen,
My condolences on your devastating loss. He sounds like a wonderful person, friend, husband, and father.. So many lovely tributes!!! I will be praying for you and your family. Love, Colleen
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