Allen "Aj" J Whelan

ALLEN “AJ” WHELAN, 84, of Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, January 13, 2024.

He was born to the late Albert and Anna (nee Jaenke) Whelan on August 25, 1939 in Tipton, Illinois.

Allen married Freeda M. Bennett on March 21, 1959 at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Red Bud, Illinois; she preceded him in death on March 7, 2018.

Saying Allen was a hard worker was truly an understatement. He worked as a mechanic for Luhr Bros, Inc. in Columbia, Illinois where he retired (twice). He was a member of Operating Engineer Local #520 in Granite City, Illinois where he had logged more hours than anyone who had ever worked in Local #520. Allen was also the dozer operator during the flood of 1993 who broke the levy to save the town of Prairie du Rocher.

Outside of work, Allen stayed busy going to drag races, looking at old cars, camping at Marissa campground, working on the farm, listening to Ozzy Osbourne, and traveling the country on his Harley Davidson motorcycle with Freeda right behind him. Allen and Freeda were known to host family get-togethers and loved being surrounded by family and friends. Family was everything to Allen. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who was loved beyond measure. Allen’s eyes truly lit up every time he was with his grandkids and great grandkids.

Survivors:

3 Children:

Keith (Tammie) Whelan St. Marys, MO

Deborah (Richard) Davitz Red Bud, IL

Chris (Karen) Whelan Branson, MO

2 Siblings:

Gerald Whelan Prairie du Rocher, IL

Nancy Kruse Ruma, IL

4 Sisters-in-law:

Mable Whelan Waterloo, IL

Shirley (Ronald) Jaenke Red Bud, IL

Shelia Bennett Murphysboro, IL

Lucille Romay Wagner Mesa, AZ

11 Grandchildren:

Michael, Melissa, Justin, Laura, Kourtney, Matthew, Ricky, Tyler, Nathan, Whitney and Lydia

3 Step Grandchildren:

Jennifer, JoBeth and Travis

24 Great Grandchildren

Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends

Preceded in death by: Parents, Wife, 4 Siblings – Eileen (Walter) Kelly, Jr., Cletus (Pat) Whelan, Leroy Whelan, and Mildred (Oliver) Dehne, Brothers-in-law & Sisters-in-law – Rosalie Whelan, Roger Kruse, Ruby Glotfelty, Peggy (Harvey) Althoff, Lloyd Romay, Glen Wagner, and Roy Bennett, 4 Nephews and 1 Niece

Allen is being cremated and his ashes will be mixed with the love of his life, Freeda Mae, so they can be together eternally. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.