Mike Whelehon

John Michael Mike Whelehon of Farmington, formerly of Arcadia, passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2009, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau at the age of 69 years. He was born on November 5, 1939, in Arcadia, the son of the late Paul Aloysius and Katherine Adelaide (Whitworth) Whelehon. He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Paul, Winston, Norman, James; three sisters, Suzie Ellis, Rose Mary and Francis Ann, step-daughters, Catherine Seely, Carol Seely, and Laura Ritter and two grandsons, Zachary Ritter and Joshua Chaplin. Mike was the youngest of nine children. His dad worked on the railroad and his mother was a homemaker. He served in the U. S. Navy as a medic from 7/9/1957 to 11/28/1960 serving in Japan. He later served in the U. S. Army from 5/8/1962 to 4/26/65 in Germany and Europe. He later owned and operated a tavern in Ironton and worked in construction. Mike attended and graduated from welding trainingalso had 2 1/2 years of maintenance training, while working at ASARCO in Glover, MO. The company was sold to Doe Run Mining Company. Mike retired in 2000 after 23 years of service. Mike met and married Lois Redmond on June 8, 1979. They had a working farm and raised cattle. Mike enjoyed being outdoors, but especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed listening to gospel and country music. Mike was a member of the Ste. Marie Du Lac Catholic Church of Ironton, and after he and Lois married he joined the St. Joseph Catholic Church of Farmington. He is survived by his wife, Lois (Redmond) Whelehon, a step-son, William Seely of Farmington, two step-daughters, Linda Graham of Farmington and Sherry Fleming of Augusta, GA, a sister, Eileen Arbuckle of Grenola, KS, and seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Several other relatives and friends also survive. The family will receive friends at Cozean Memorial Chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2009. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will resume at 7 a.m. on Monday. A Funeral Mass will be follow at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Farmington. Burial with Military Honors will be at Arcadia Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau or for masses. Video tribute, obituary and online condolences at www.cozeanfuneralhome.com.