Obituary for Reverend R.D. Whalen
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the service on Thursday will be private for family only and a future public memorial celebration will be announced for both Mr. Robert Whalen and Mrs. Geraldine Whalen.
Robert Daniel Whalen
Rev. R.D. Whalen, 90, went to his eternal reward on July 12, 2020, in his Oklahoma City home with his family at his side. Robert was born May 2, 1930 in Columbus, Ohio, to Josephine and Martin Whalen. He was a graduate of the Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota where he met and married “his one and only” Geraldine Kelly Whalen. They celebrated 69 wonderful years of marriage. His pastoral ministry began in 1952 in Ardmore, Oklahoma where he served 6 years. In 1958, he was elected pastor of the Southeast United Pentecostal Church in Oklahoma City, serving 37 years until his pastoral retirement. From 1952 to 2001, Rev. Whalen continuously held offices serving in the Oklahoma District and the United Pentecostal Church International. He served as Executive Presbyter of the South Central Region, Oklahoma District Superintendent for 18 years, served on the board of directors for Apostolic Bible Institute, the Tupelo Children’s Mansion, the UPCI General Board and was inducted into the UPCI Order of the Faith in 2008. His ministry was international, traveling across America and to several foreign fields to visit, preach and teach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. One of his greatest joys was to see approximately 50 young men and women who sat under his ministry working in God’s harvest field as pastors, evangelists and home and foreign missionaries. R.D. Whalen was preceded in death by his parents, Josephine & Martin Whalen, sister, Florence Philips; half-brother Calvin Whalen and his beloved wife of 69 years, Geraldine Whalen in April 2020. He leaves cherished memories with his loving family: sister, Betty Parker, son Robert Stuart Whalen and his wife, Linda; daughter, Patty Trent and husband, Brad; daughter, Sally Steward and husband, Mike; Grandchildren: Michael Steward, Jr. and wife, Priscilla; Ronald Steward and wife, Shelley; Michele Stevens; Austin Trent and wife, Melissa; Robert D. Whalen II and wife, Nicole; Courtney Stiefer and husband, Omar; Taylor Holt and wife Ruby; 11 great-grandchildren and numerous other family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Tupelo Children’s Mansion in Tupelo, Mississippi. Special recognition and gratitude is given to the caregivers, especially Brianna and Marinette, who cared for him to the end. He will be deeply missed by all.
Robert Daniel Whalen
Rev. R.D. Whalen, 90, went to his eternal reward on July 12, 2020, in his Oklahoma City home with his family at his side. Robert was born May 2, 1930 in Columbus, Ohio, to Josephine and Martin Whalen. He was a graduate of the Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota where he met and married “his one and only” Geraldine Kelly Whalen. They celebrated 69 wonderful years of marriage. His pastoral ministry began in 1952 in Ardmore, Oklahoma where he served 6 years. In 1958, he was elected pastor of the Southeast United Pentecostal Church in Oklahoma City, serving 37 years until his pastoral retirement. From 1952 to 2001, Rev. Whalen continuously held offices serving in the Oklahoma District and the United Pentecostal Church International. He served as Executive Presbyter of the South Central Region, Oklahoma District Superintendent for 18 years, served on the board of directors for Apostolic Bible Institute, the Tupelo Children’s Mansion, the UPCI General Board and was inducted into the UPCI Order of the Faith in 2008. His ministry was international, traveling across America and to several foreign fields to visit, preach and teach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. One of his greatest joys was to see approximately 50 young men and women who sat under his ministry working in God’s harvest field as pastors, evangelists and home and foreign missionaries. R.D. Whalen was preceded in death by his parents, Josephine & Martin Whalen, sister, Florence Philips; half-brother Calvin Whalen and his beloved wife of 69 years, Geraldine Whalen in April 2020. He leaves cherished memories with his loving family: sister, Betty Parker, son Robert Stuart Whalen and his wife, Linda; daughter, Patty Trent and husband, Brad; daughter, Sally Steward and husband, Mike; Grandchildren: Michael Steward, Jr. and wife, Priscilla; Ronald Steward and wife, Shelley; Michele Stevens; Austin Trent and wife, Melissa; Robert D. Whalen II and wife, Nicole; Courtney Stiefer and husband, Omar; Taylor Holt and wife Ruby; 11 great-grandchildren and numerous other family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Tupelo Children’s Mansion in Tupelo, Mississippi. Special recognition and gratitude is given to the caregivers, especially Brianna and Marinette, who cared for him to the end. He will be deeply missed by all.