Obituary of Harold T. Whalen

Harold T. Whalen, 88, of Las Vegas, passed away on Sunday, August 12, 2018. Born July 29, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Bernard F. Whalen, Sr. and Elizabeth V. Whalen, nee Bar. He is preceded in death by his Parents, brother Bernard F. Whalen Jr., Sister Margaret Streiffert, first Wife Gloria J. Whalen, nee Toelstede, infant Daughter Noreen E. Whalen and second Wife Cecelia T. Whalen, nee Roe. Harold was an ROTC member in high school and served three years in the Illinois Air National Guard and served two years active-duty in the Marine Corps during the Korean era. Harold belong to the American Legion in Illinois, Second Marine Division Association, Illinois chapter, Marine Corps League, National Rifle Association, and was a Chicago Bears fan of El Paso, Texas. Upon joining the El Perro Diablo detachment #478, Marine Corps League, Harold took it upon himself to organize an honor guard for this detachment with few resources and almost no equipment; only 4 M-1 rifles and ammunition from the U.S. Border Patrol. He approached this challenge of great responsibility in an enthusiastic manner. His knowledge and experience had proven invaluable to his team. He worked long hours to ensure that personnel were properly trained, equipment was properly maintained and he always maintained a can-do attitude. During his time with the detachment he was involved in over 920 military funerals and also served as Commandant. He was proud to be a Marine. At his request he will be cremated and his cremated remains will be interred in the veteran section of the Fairmount Willow Hills Memorial Park Cemetery in Illinois next to his first wife. Harold is survived by two sons, Scott T. Whalen and spouse Margaret of Chicago, Illinois and Dale L. Whalen and spouse Patricia of Las Vegas, Nevada and granddaughter Cailey J. Mazur (nee Whalen) & her husband Michael. Well Done Marine, Semper Fidelis