Burial will follow in Lakeside Cemetery, followed by a reception at the church.

Mr. Whalen died Sunday afternoon (September 23, 2001) at his home.

Calling hours are 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at TLC Funeral Home, Watertown.

Mr. Whalen was the bell chimer from 1930 to 1990 at Sackets Harbor United Presbyterian Church, where he was also a sexton for many years.  Local public television station WPBS featured Mr. Whalen in a show about his chiming years.  He was also custodian at Hay Memorial Library for many years.

Born February 1, 1915, in Sackets Harbor, son of Charles and Leta M. Clarke Whalen, he graduated from Sackets Harbor High School in 1932 and from the Dexter Teachers Training Class in 1933.

He taught at District No. 9 school for three years before attending Oswego Normal School, from which he graduated in 1938.  He then taught school for three years at Stone Schoolhouse No. 17 on Route 3 outside of Sackets Harbor and worked for a time in the personnel department at Fort Drum.

An avid walker and cyclist, he could be seen in various places around Jefferson County and rode as far as Kingston, Ontario.  A 1991 Times story about Mr. Whalen explained that although he kept a current driver's license and had a Studebaker that predated World War II, he hadn't driven in more than fifty years because he did not want to use resources and pollute the air.

He enjoyed raising canaries, houseplants, and was known for his gardening skills and artistic paper cutting.  He was also an avid historian.

Surviving are a brother, Kendall C., Sackets Harbor, and several nieces and nephews.

Two brothers and three sisters died before him.  Ray C. Whalen was killed in action in France during World War I.  His other brother, G. Rossie, died in infancy.  His sisters were Gladys E. Stoddard, Lora Grennell, and Ella E. Hide.

Donations may be made to the United Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 138, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685.