Thomas E. Whalen, 69, of Centre Hall, PA died Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at Mt. Nittany Medical Center in State College.
He was born July 17, 1935, in Olean, New York, to the late Laurence P. and Elsie Buchanan Whalen.
He was married May 5, in 1962 in Pennsville, NJ to the former Mary Ellen Peachey who survives at home.
He graduated from Olean High School in 1953, and earned an associate degree in electrical technology from Erie County Technical Institute in 1955.
Mr. Whalen served in the U. S. Army from 1958 to 1964, having served 13 months in Korea.
He was a stacks supervisor at Pattee Library, retiring in 1997. He also worked at Murata Erie Technological Products for 21 years.
He enjoyed auctions, flea markets, bird watching, and listening to big band music. He was a member of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, of Penns Valley.
In addition to his wife he is survived by three daughters, Christine Marie Christian and her husband Clayton R. Christian of Milesburg, Colleen Ann Horner and her friend Robert Hostler Jr. of Centre Hall, Cathleen Denise Romig and her husband Rodney A. Romig of Bellefonte, PA; two sons Mark T. Whalen of Mechanicsburg, PA, Scott F. Whalen of Dillsburg, PA; eight grandchildren, Brooke and Heather Christian of Milesburg, Ryan, Ashley and Nathan Horner of Stormstown, Rebecca Whalen of Dillsburg, Christopher and Jeremy Romig of Bellefote, PA; one aunt Mary Whalen of Mt. jewett; 4 nephews and a sister in law Gloria Davis of Pennsville, NJ
He was preceded in death by one son Douglas who died in 1966, one brother Larry who died in 1963, and one grandchild, Seth Christian, who died in 1988.
Friends will be received from 7 - 9 p. m. Friday, July 30, 2004 at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall, PA. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a. m. Sat. July 31, 2004 at Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, 3503 Penns Valley Road, Spring Mills with Father Neil R. Dadey as celebrant.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, 3503 Penns Valley Road, Spring Mills, PA 16875 or to Penns Valley EMS, 231 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall,PA 16828 or to the American Lung Association, 209 E. Beaver Ave. State College, PA 16801.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.