Willard A. Whalen

Willard A. Whalen, 83, of Centralia, formerly of Mexico, died at 10:40 a.m. on May 14, 2008, at his home.

Graveside services with military honors will be held on Monday at 2:30 p.m. in the shelter at Elmwood Cemetery in Mexico. There will be no visitation. Pickering Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Mr. Whalen was born on March 16, 1925, in Maries County, a son of John and Mary Belva (Elrod) Whalen. From 1944 until late 1946, he served as a tank crewman in the US Army in the Central European Theater. On July 14, 1974, in Mexico, he married Betty Wonneman, who survives at the home.

He had always worked hard, farming for many years, and at the same time working other jobs, at A.P. Green for 23 years, the stockyards and McGee Packing. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Centralia.

In addition to his wife, survivors include three sons, Thomas, Willard Bill, and John; three daughters, Constance, Merniva and Gaye; one brother Leslie; two sisters, Emma and Mary; numerous grandchildren, including Beck, Kelly, and Seth; a niece, Jo Dean and a great nephew, Duke.

Two brothers, Eugene and Edward preceded him in death.