Mary Whalen

Mary Beth Whalen, 87, of West Lafayette, died at University Place in West Lafayette 9:20 PM Monday December 23, 2013. She was born in Wausau, WI May 24, 1926, the daughter of the late John and Gladys Kelly Sell. Mary Beth graduated from Wausau High School and Marquette University College of Journalism. While at Marquette, she was a member of Theta Sigma Phi, Women's Journalism Honorary, the forerunner of Women in Communication. Prior to her marriage, she was an advertising copy writer for the Boston Store in Milwaukee, WI. She married William J. Whalen on June 24, 1950 in Milwaukee, WI., and he preceded her in death on March 25, 2008. She was secretary of the Democratic Central Committee of Tippecanoe County in the 1980's and a member of the Lafayette Animal Control Commission during Mayor James F. Riehle's administration. She also served as President of the Tippecanoe County Democratic Women's Organization and coordinator for President Jimmy Carter and Senator Birch Bayh. Most Reverend William Higi appointed her editor of the Lafayette edition of Our Sunday Visitor in 1984, the first lay person to hold the editorship, serving until 1986. She was a member of St. Mary Cathedral and St. Thomas Aquinas. Survivors include five children: Sheila Tonne (husband Keith), Seattle WA.; Sharon Williams (husband James), Lafayette, IN.; Maureen Miller (husband John), Mishawaka, IN.; Kevin Whalen (wife Janice), Derby, KS.; and Patrick Whalen, Lafayette, IN. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Janna Kiefer, Matthews, NC.; Rowenna Hamper (husband Randy), Marengo, IL.; Joseph and Sean Whalen of Derby, KS.; and three great-grandchildren, Dalen and Caden Kiefer-Gutierrez, Matthews, NC.; and Eleanor Hamper, Marengo, IL. Friends may call at the Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home, 1104 Columbia St., Lafayette from 5 until 7 PM Monday, with a Scripture Service at 4:45 PM Monday. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 AM Tuesday, St. Mary Cathedral, Fr. Jeff Martin officiating, with interment to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Lafayette Urban Ministry or The Catholic Worker, 36 E. First Street, New York, NY. 10003. Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com.