Louis A. Lou Whalen, 87, of Greeley, died, at his home, Thursday, November 15, 2012, with his family by his side. Services will be Monday, November 19, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greeley, NE. Fr. Donald A. Buhrman and Fr. Timothy L. Stoner will concelebrate the funeral mass. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, at Greeley, NE. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Charles E. Martin Post #186 and the U.S. Army Honor Team. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 18, 2012, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church from 4 - 8 pm with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Curran Funeral Chapel in Grand Island is assisting the family. Lou was born June 11, 1925 in Brayton, Nebraska to John Ambrose & Elizabeth Irene (Kinsella) Whalen. Survivors include wife Eileen Whalen of Greeley, NE Three sons, Tom Whalen of Greeley, NE Richard Whalen of Lincoln, NE Joe Whalen of Lexington, KY Three daughters and two sons-in-law, Kathy Warner of Ord, NE Mary and Tom Harris of Duncan, NE Jeannie and Russ Thede of Pilger, NE Others left to cherish his memory include his 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Lou attended school in Greeley and graduated from Sacred Heart High School. He served our country during World War II, entering the Army in 1945. He was united in marriage to his sweetheart and best friend (Mary) Eileen Ryan while on leave August 11, 1945, at Greeley, NE. They moved to Joplin, MO where he finished his tour of duty, he was honorably discharged in 1947. Lou and Eileen returned home to Greeley where they farmed and raised livestock along with six children. He worked for the SCS (Soil Conservation Service) in Spalding and Moormans Feed Co. while continuing to farm. The family moved into Greeley in 1968 in the old Zuroski house then moved to Kerry Kourt in 2007 where he lived until his time of passing. Lou enjoyed time spent with his great-grandchildren, grandchildren and family, fishing, playing pool and socializing at the local pubs in Greeley. Lou loved to tinker with things and could fix anything. Most importantly he loved doing things for others. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Greeley Legion Auxiliary, and Greeley Volunteer Fire Department. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and brothers-in-law, Ethel and Hank Rother, Marie and Bob Marco, three brothers & two sisters-in-law, Jack and Gladys Whalen, Bert and Alta Whalen, Roland Whalen, and a son-in-law Mike Warner. Memorials are suggested at the donors choice. On line condolences may be given and his video tribute viewed at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Lous obituary.