Arlene Whelan

Arlene Whelan was a woman who believed in always doing what was right, and in doing things the right way. She was never afraid to learn or experience new things, and approached challenges with such great talent and tenacity. Most of all, Arlene was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who always put her family first in her life, a life that lives on in them today.

Arlene’s story began on a hot summer day in 1928, in the bustling city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Those were good days in this country, the twilight of the Roaring 20s, and the calm before the terrible storm of the Great Depression. On August 23, 1928, Arlow and Marguerite (Thomas) Doolittle celebrated the birth of their first child, a beautiful baby girl they named Arlene.

Arlene was joined by her little brothers Gerald, James and Ronald, and little sister Jane in the family’s home. Her parents divorced when Arlene was just a little girl, and being the oldest, she shouldered much of the responsibility of raising her siblings.

Times were very tough on the family growing up, as they were for so many in those days of the Great Depression, and Arlene would walk along the train tracks as a child, collecting stray lumps of coal to help heat their home. Her mother was a seamstress, and Arlene would also help her with her various projects, learning her mother’s trade along the way.

Arlene was raised with a powerful faith in the Lord as well, and the family attended the Nazarene Church faithfully each Sunday. She attended Kalamazoo Schools, but needing to help her family, she left high school before graduating. Being the determined and intelligent young woman she was, she finished her schooling through correspondence courses, earning her diploma.

Eventually, Arlene met a man named Will Whelan, and the sparks flew between them. Will was immediately taken with the brainy beauty, and she was attracted to him, too. They began dating, and were married on October 25, 1963, beginning a wonderful life together, a life of so many great experiences, fond memories, and a loving family, too.

The newlyweds were already blessed with four wonderful children, daughter Dianne, and sons Terry, Jeffrey and Dennis. Arlene loved being a mother, and was an excellent caregiver and role model for her children. She was a strict but loving parent, who taught her children to be self-sufficient, to know right from wrong, and instilled in them the same great character she possessed, too.

In 1966, Arlene found work at Upjohn Corporation, as a telephone operator with the large company. She was meant for so much more, however, and began taking classes at Kellogg Community College, always anxious to learn more.

Her career at Upjohn spanned the next 30 years, where she utilized her talent and tenacity for learning to rise through the company’s ranks. She eventually became an Administrative Assistant, and even learned to operate computers, when foreign technology was still in its infancy.

That’s the way Arlene was, though: never afraid to learn or to try new things. She was very intelligent and talented, and could do anything she put her mind to doing. When she had a goal, she would diligently learn everything she could about it, and then go and accomplish it.

Arlene also possessed a perfectionist streak, which could be found in everything she did. She wanted to have things done just right, whether it was tending to her garden, preparing her delicious holiday feasts for her family, canning food or even laying bricks in the backyard.

Of course, Arlene was far from all work and no play. The family lived in a beautiful home on the picturesque Indian Lake, in the sleepy town of Vicksburg, Michigan, a place so wonderful for them. They spent their summer days boating, sailing, or simply sitting and watching the sunset across the water.

Arlene had other hobbies, and enjoyed playing the piano and the organ. She played beautifully, and one of her favorite numbers was “Tea for Two.”

Arlene was very family-oriented, and always put her kids first in her life. When her grandkids and great-grandkids arrived, she was especially thrilled, and loved to play games with the little ones. She adored having a new generation to love and dote on.

She and Will were a wonderful couple, too, who were truly best friends and did everything together. The couple wintered in Florida after they retired in 1996, and traveled all over together, too, from the Upper Peninsula, to West Virginia and Maine, Arlene’s favorite destination. It didn’t really matter where they went or what they did, though, as long as they were together.

Sadly, Arlene died suddenly at her home on Monday, July 9, 2007, at the age of 78.

Arlene was a wonderful woman, as brilliant as she was beautiful, as self-sufficient as she was selfless, a woman so full of character and compassion for others. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who was never afraid to learn new things. She taught us so much along the way. She will be greatly missed.

Learn more about Arlene, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends Friday 5-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG ,Vicksburg, 409 S Main. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the same location.

Members of her family include her husband Will, 4 children: Dianne and her husband Dell Matter, Terry and his wife Zippy Elan, Jeffrey and his wife Julie Whelan and Dennis and his wife Nancy Paddock. Other members of her family include her 3 brothers: Gerald Doolittle, James and his wife Mimi Doolittle, Rev. Ronald and his wife Rita Doolittle, a sister: Jane Meadows, 8 grandchildren: Trevor Paddock, Jamie Mejeur, Angela Mejeur, Jeffrey Whelan, Katherine Edwards, Shannon Guzick, Stefanie Heidtke and Daniel Matter and 5 great grandchlildren: Mitchell Guzick, Gabrielle Guzick, Benjamin Guzick, Tanner Heidtke and Sydnie Heidtke.

Please visit Arlene’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can share a favorite memory or photo, sign her memory book or make a memorial donation to a charity of your choice.