Obituary for George Edward Whelan
George Edward Whelan, 69, passed away Monday, December 7 surrounded by his family
following an extended, thirty-year, illness with Parkinson’s Disease.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy Wimer Whelan, who cared for him throughout his illness.
George was born in Weston March 13, 1951 the son of Frank and Jane (Brannon) Whelan who
preceded him in death.
George was the “baby” of his family—a title he treasured--and is survived by Frank Whelan of
San Marcos, Texas and Janie Garton, and husband, Scott of Weston. He is also survived by
his sister-in-law, Janet Potter and husband, Freddie, of Bridgeport.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Tom, and wife Peggy
(Marchio) Whelan and sister-in-law Judy (Rinehart) Whelan, nephew Stephen Whelan as well
Lou Anne and James Wimer, his mother-and father-in-law.
George is survived by nieces and nephews whom he loved as his own “kids”. Surviving are
Lesley (John) White of Weston, Brannon Garton of Weston, Lisa (Andy) Young of Glenn Allen,
VA, Sandra Snead of Glenn Allen, VA, Laura Whelan of Gold Beach, OR, Tommy (Alissa)
Whelan of San Diego, CA , Elizabeth (Rich) McDonald of Greensburg, PA, Barbara (Jim) Keller
of Auburn, AL, Kathy Thompson of New Braunfels, TX, Karen (Scott) Wehman of Pearlman, TX,
Michael (Monica) Potter of Clarksburg, David (Crystal Hollandsworth) of Clarksburg, and Sarah
Potter of Bridgeport.
George is survived by several great-nieces and nephews whom he loved. George had a special
relationship coaching Leo White and Luke White for the Red Sox and helping Lily Garton with
her softball skills.
George loved his community and all-things-Lewis County. He loved his home and was proud to
be a Minuteman. He especially loved being a member of the Lewis County High School Class of
1969.
George was a 1973 graduate of Marshall University with a degree from the W. Page Pitt School
of Journalism.
He used his journalism skills for several jobs including WHAW-WSSN Radio, The Record Delta ,
The Weston Democrat, and Robert C. Byrd Institute. He was the sports editor and editor for
The Weston Democrat where he won WV AP writing awards for his community coverage of
news, sports, and feature events. He was often seen covering civic meetings and local activities
in the Lewis County community.
He was also twice elected Lewis County Magistrate. He served on the Citizens Bank of Weston
Board of Directors. Friends fondly remember lots of good times when he was manager of
Ricardo’s Restaurant.
He was actively involved in coaching the county’s youth for more than 40 years where he
served as a role model by coaching thousands of kids through youth league sports including
being the manager/head coach of the Red Sox baseball team and Pistons basketball team. He
was a great believer in the fundamentals of sports and had a fiery passion for playing the game
the way it was intended. He garnered several championship titles and loved it when his former
players returned to Butchersville to coach and volunteer.
George loved watching his beloved Thundering Herd, and developed life- lasting friendships as
he and his buddies followed the Young Herd Football team and basketball team throughout the
country. He also loved the Black and Gold—both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers.
George was an active civic leader and community volunteer. Throughout the years, George
worked with Lewis County First, Weston Jaycees, Lewis County American Red Cross, Weston
Rotary Club, Lewis County Baseball Association, Lewis County Youth Basketball, Lewis County
Chamber of Commerce, Lewis County High Athletic Boosters, Adopt-A-Friend Animal Shelter,
and Lewis County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau.
He was inducted into the Lewis County Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to coaching
and sports coverage as well as his participation on the 1969 State Tournament Basketball
Team.
He was named Lewis Countian of the Year.
George is remembered for his kindness, optimism, passion, crafty-wit, and humility. During his
illness, George never complained or questioned, and he never gave up. He was a big believer
in never quitting.
George and his wife shared a love of animals, and they had four house cats and several
adopted strays.
George was a friend to all and had best friends from all facets of his life. He never met a
stranger, and his friends treasure their memories, and all have a story or five to tell about him.
Due to the global pandemic, a private graveside service will be conducted by Rev. John
Valentine presiding at Lewis County Memorial Garden. At George’s request, a celebration of
life will be conducted as soon as restrictions are lifted with food, drink, friends, and his favorite
rock and roll music.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to help the youth of Lewis County by donating to the Whelan Field: 350 East 7th E. 7th St. Weston, WV 26452 or the Lewis Baseball Association: P.O. Box 755, Weston, WV, 26452.
Online condolences and life stories in memory of George may be expressed at hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com. Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston considers it an honor and privilege to serve the family of George Edward Whelan.
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following an extended, thirty-year, illness with Parkinson’s Disease.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy Wimer Whelan, who cared for him throughout his illness.
George was born in Weston March 13, 1951 the son of Frank and Jane (Brannon) Whelan who
preceded him in death.
George was the “baby” of his family—a title he treasured--and is survived by Frank Whelan of
San Marcos, Texas and Janie Garton, and husband, Scott of Weston. He is also survived by
his sister-in-law, Janet Potter and husband, Freddie, of Bridgeport.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Tom, and wife Peggy
(Marchio) Whelan and sister-in-law Judy (Rinehart) Whelan, nephew Stephen Whelan as well
Lou Anne and James Wimer, his mother-and father-in-law.
George is survived by nieces and nephews whom he loved as his own “kids”. Surviving are
Lesley (John) White of Weston, Brannon Garton of Weston, Lisa (Andy) Young of Glenn Allen,
VA, Sandra Snead of Glenn Allen, VA, Laura Whelan of Gold Beach, OR, Tommy (Alissa)
Whelan of San Diego, CA , Elizabeth (Rich) McDonald of Greensburg, PA, Barbara (Jim) Keller
of Auburn, AL, Kathy Thompson of New Braunfels, TX, Karen (Scott) Wehman of Pearlman, TX,
Michael (Monica) Potter of Clarksburg, David (Crystal Hollandsworth) of Clarksburg, and Sarah
Potter of Bridgeport.
George is survived by several great-nieces and nephews whom he loved. George had a special
relationship coaching Leo White and Luke White for the Red Sox and helping Lily Garton with
her softball skills.
George loved his community and all-things-Lewis County. He loved his home and was proud to
be a Minuteman. He especially loved being a member of the Lewis County High School Class of
1969.
George was a 1973 graduate of Marshall University with a degree from the W. Page Pitt School
of Journalism.
He used his journalism skills for several jobs including WHAW-WSSN Radio, The Record Delta ,
The Weston Democrat, and Robert C. Byrd Institute. He was the sports editor and editor for
The Weston Democrat where he won WV AP writing awards for his community coverage of
news, sports, and feature events. He was often seen covering civic meetings and local activities
in the Lewis County community.
He was also twice elected Lewis County Magistrate. He served on the Citizens Bank of Weston
Board of Directors. Friends fondly remember lots of good times when he was manager of
Ricardo’s Restaurant.
He was actively involved in coaching the county’s youth for more than 40 years where he
served as a role model by coaching thousands of kids through youth league sports including
being the manager/head coach of the Red Sox baseball team and Pistons basketball team. He
was a great believer in the fundamentals of sports and had a fiery passion for playing the game
the way it was intended. He garnered several championship titles and loved it when his former
players returned to Butchersville to coach and volunteer.
George loved watching his beloved Thundering Herd, and developed life- lasting friendships as
he and his buddies followed the Young Herd Football team and basketball team throughout the
country. He also loved the Black and Gold—both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers.
George was an active civic leader and community volunteer. Throughout the years, George
worked with Lewis County First, Weston Jaycees, Lewis County American Red Cross, Weston
Rotary Club, Lewis County Baseball Association, Lewis County Youth Basketball, Lewis County
Chamber of Commerce, Lewis County High Athletic Boosters, Adopt-A-Friend Animal Shelter,
and Lewis County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau.
He was inducted into the Lewis County Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to coaching
and sports coverage as well as his participation on the 1969 State Tournament Basketball
Team.
He was named Lewis Countian of the Year.
George is remembered for his kindness, optimism, passion, crafty-wit, and humility. During his
illness, George never complained or questioned, and he never gave up. He was a big believer
in never quitting.
George and his wife shared a love of animals, and they had four house cats and several
adopted strays.
George was a friend to all and had best friends from all facets of his life. He never met a
stranger, and his friends treasure their memories, and all have a story or five to tell about him.
Due to the global pandemic, a private graveside service will be conducted by Rev. John
Valentine presiding at Lewis County Memorial Garden. At George’s request, a celebration of
life will be conducted as soon as restrictions are lifted with food, drink, friends, and his favorite
rock and roll music.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to help the youth of Lewis County by donating to the Whelan Field: 350 East 7th E. 7th St. Weston, WV 26452 or the Lewis Baseball Association: P.O. Box 755, Weston, WV, 26452.
Online condolences and life stories in memory of George may be expressed at hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com. Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston considers it an honor and privilege to serve the family of George Edward Whelan.
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