James W. Jim Whalen, 88, of Grand Island, NE, died Monday, March 21, 2016, at Wedgewood Care Center in Grand Island. Services will be Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Marys Cathedral. The main celebrant will be Rev. Richard L. Piontkowski Jr. Most Rev. Joseph G. Hanefeldt, Bishop of the Diocese of Grand Island, Most Rev. William J. Dendinger, Bishop Emeritus, and other priests of the Diocese of Grand Island are concelebrating. Burial will be in St. Michaels Catholic Cemetery at Spalding, NE, with a 2:00 p.m committal service. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 23, 2016, from 4-7 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Jim was born July 10, 1927, at Spalding, NE. He was the son of Edward J. and Mabel Ann (Dunning) Whalen. Survivors of the immediate family include two daughters and a son-in-law, Jean Ann and Ted Molczyk of Grand Island. NE Julie Whalen and fianc, Jim Krause of Denver, CO Two sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffrey and Sarah Whalen of North Platte, NE James E. Jim and Heather Whalen of Lincoln, NE A sister, Patricia Campos of St. Louis, MO Others left to cherish his memory include grandchildren and their spouses, Brandy and Richard Thornton, Lisa and Darrell Detlefsen, Brian Molczyk, Jamie and Stephen Kneeland, Jeremy and Jessica Whalen, Jessica and Jon Hendricks, Caleb and Jacob Whalen. One step granddaughter, Taylor Ann Krause. Five great grandchildren, Aspen Thornton, Noah and Eil Kneeland, Josie and Jude Whalen. Jim grew up in Spalding and Greeley where he attended Greeley Sacred Heart School. He returned to Spalding where he worked for Berberich Mortuary. He worked for Greeley County as a heavy equipment operator maintaining the county roads. He married Joan V. Zwiener on Oct 13, 1951 at Spalding, NE. They moved to Greeley in 1955. Jim continued to operate heavy equipment for Behnks Construction. In 1965 he began working for Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant also as a heavy equipment operator until the plants closing in 1973. He moved to Central City in 1974 where he owned and operated Whalen Sanitation with his wife, working with his son Jim for 17 years. In 1991 he sold the business and retired to Grand Island. In retirement Jim worked for Riverside Golf Course manicuring the golf course. Joan died September 12, 2013. He loved working in his yard, maintaining his little acreage on the outskirts of town. He enjoyed golfing, dancing, reading and tinkering with things. He was a member of St. Marys Cathedral, ushering at the church for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Joan Whalen, brother and sister-in-law, E.F. Bud and Delphine Whalen, sister, Anna Marie Hulick. Memorials are suggested to St. Marys Cathedral for the roof repair. Online condolences may be given and video tribute viewed at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Jims obituary. Funeral Service

Thursday, March 24, 2016 10:00 AM

St. Mary's Cathedral 112 S. Cedar Grand Island, Nebraska 68801