Gordon Whalen*
May 7, 1892-July 30, 1929
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, July 31, 1929, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
GORDON WHELAN DIES AT LEGION HOSPITAL
Son of Well known Niles Family Passes Away After Long Illness
Death brought to a close the long illness of Gordon Whelan last evening at 7 o'clock I the American Legion hospital in Battle Creek. Mr. Whelan first entered the hospital in October, 1927, for treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Mr. Whelan, a few months ago was taken by his sister, Mrs. Raymond Zimmerman to Whipple, Ariz., but about two months ago as his condition seemed hopeless he was brought back to the Legion hospital in Battle Creek in order that he might be nearer relatives and friends. For the last two weeks Mrs. Zimmerman has been in constant attendance upon her brother as his death had been daily expected. The body was brought t o Niles during last night.
James Gordon Whelan was born on what was for many years the Whelan homestead about three miles north of Niles, on March 7, 1892, and grew to young manhood there. On March 29, 1918, he enlisted for service for the world war in an engineering corps and was sent over seas. He was in service for 1 months. After returning to Niles he worked as a dispatcher for the Michigan Central Railroad company until his health prevented him. He had been home form Europe after the world war but one month and one year when he met with an accident near his home, having been struck by an interurban car and his right leg was so mangled that it was amputated. In spite of the handicap of ill health, Mr. Whelan was of a cheerful Happy disposition and his friends were legion, in railroad circles, in his fraternal groups and in the hospital where he had spent so many months.
Mr. Whelan was one of the seven children of James and Mary Whelan and his is the first death among the seven children. The surviving brothers and sisters are: Mrs. Wallace Smith, of Dowagiac, Max, Niles, Forest, Flint, Mrs. L.M. Curtis, Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Grace Higgins and Mrs. Raymond Zimmerman, of Niles. Their mother died five years ago and their father one year later.
Fraternally Mr. Whelan was identified with the LaRue Messenger American Legion post and also of the Niles lodge of Elks.
The funeral services will be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman on Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock (standard time). Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 1, 1929, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
FUNERAL SERVICES G. WHALEN
A change has been made in the plans for the funeral services for Gordon Whelan. instead of being held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Zimmerman as planned the services will be held in the Troost and Augustine chapel tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock (standard time). The body is in the chapel and friends may call there to view it until the hour of the funeral. The services will be under the auspices of the Elk lodge with the Rev. Harry Staver, pastor of the Presbyterian church in Buchanan as officiating minister.
*Spelled Whalen in cemetery records and on gravemarker