Fr. Walter M. Phelan, 85, of Grand Island, NE, died Wednesday, December 8, 2010, at Tiffany Square Care Center. Services will be Monday, December, 13, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Marys Cathedral. The Most Rev. William J. Dendinger will be the main celebrant, with other priests of the Diocese of Grand Island concelebrating. Burial will be in The Church of the Visitation Cemetery at OConnor, NE, with a 2:00 p.m. committal service. Visitation will be Sunday, December 12, 2010, from 3 5 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel and continue from 6 7 p.m. at St. Marys Cathedral with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be Monday from 8:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting with arrangements. Fr. Walter M. Phelan was born January 29, 1925, on a farm near Greeley, NE. He was the son of Frank & Kate (Noonan) Phelan. He is survived by his sister, Anna M. Pauly of Whittier, CA A sister-in-law, Nancy Phelan of Omaha, NE Six nephews. When Fr. Phelan was 10 years old, he moved with his family to Spalding, NE. He graduated with the class of 1942 from Spalding Academy. His seminary training was received at St. Johns Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was ordained in St. Marys Cathedral, Grand Island, NE, by the Most Rev. Edward J. Hunkeler, D.D., on June 7, 1949. His priestly life was spent serving the people in North Platte, Oconto, Callaway, Mitchell, Morrill, Lyman, Sutherland, Paxton, Hershey, Gering, Ogallala, Scottsbluff, Greeley, Wolbach, Scotia, OConnor, Wood River, Gordon, Merriman, Elm Creek, Overton, and St. Libory. He served as diocesan director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and assistant Director of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. He served as Chaplain for the V.A. Medical Center and the Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island, NE. He retired from active ministry in 1995 but continued to serve as chaplain at the V.A. Medical Center receiving recognition for 20 years of service. He managed the Damien Leper Society which began with Bishop Paschang and has been instrumental in bringing priests from India to serve in the diocese. He had great love of celebrating the Eucharist and the sacraments. He was completely devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, lived his life for her, and died on the church feast of Her Immaculate Conception. He enjoyed being with family & friends, traveling and playing cards. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Francis & James, three nephews & one niece. Fr. Phelan requested no flowers and would like memorials directed to the Diocese of Grand Island Priest Pension Fund or mass offerings. Sr. Mary Margaret McGowan was the pianist for the vigil service with music provided by the St. Mary's, Wood River Parish Choir. Claudette Sekutera was the pianist for the mass, accompanied by St. Mary's Cathedral Parish Choir. The music selections were, "I Am The Bread Of Life" ~ "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman" ~ "Holy Is His Name" ~ "Ave Marie". Kathleen Feldner played her violin as the sending forth song. Casketbearers were, Fr. Mark Maresh ~ Fr. John Kakkuzhiyil ~ John Blaiotta ~ Barry Feldner ~ Norm Rohweder ~ Fr. Anthony Thekkekara.