Donald Whelan

Donald Whelan, 69, of Connoquenessing passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023. He was born in Rochester on February 26, 1954 to the late John Jr. and Dolores (Emert) Whelan. Don graduated from Freedom High School in 1972. He was a part of the track team and played trumpet which he later taught his son to play. He was a member of the band Silver Sabers Drum & Bugle Corp. He enjoyed being in the woods or water and joined the boy scouts and canoe trails. After high school he worked as a carpenter and was a jack of all trades, he was also a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Don would help anyone out at the drop of a hat. He would later retire from Firedex of Pittsburgh. Don met the love of his life Joan (Perri) Whelan in 1983. Don and Joan raised their son Christopher whom they instilled a strong work ethic, a love of the woods, water, hunting, and being a jokester. He truly loved spending time with his family. Carrying on a tradition of hunting, fishing, or learning how to roast a pig at the annual pig roast. Don loved to sit around and tell stories. Don and his memories will be missed. He was the beloved husband of Joan (Perri) Whelan; father of Christopher (Allison) Whelan and Donald “Donnie” Whelan; brother of Beverly Nye, Susan (Charles) Black, Cindy Friend, John Whelan, and James Whelan; brother in law of Ann Naim, Sue Weatherly, Michael (Kathy) Perri, and Earnest Perri. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and lifetime friends and coworkers who would call and check on him. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Derrick Whelan and in laws, Joe Perri, Joe Naim, and Joyce Perri. Family and friends will be received on Monday, November 27, 2023 from 5-7 PM in the SPENCER D. GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 140 NEW CASTLE RD. BUTLER, PA. 16001. WWW.SPENCERDGEIBEL.COM. A prayer service will immediately follow in the funeral home.