Loyeszelle Whalen, age 96 of Metropolis, Illinois met her Lord and Savior face to face and heard the words Well done, good and faithful servant at 2:00 pm on Thursday, August 19, 2021 from the Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center surrounded by her family. Loy was born on March 30, 1925 in Benton, Illinois the daughter of Earl and Audrey (Stites) Neal. She married the love of her life, James “Jiggs” Whalen on May 13, 1944 in Benton, Illinois. They were blessed with 77 years of marriage.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home with Dr. Joe Buchanan officiating. Burial will follow in the Metropolis Memorial Gardens. We would ask those attending please wear a face covering.
Loy is a member of the First Baptist Church in Metropolis.
Loy is survived by her husband, James “Jiggs” Whalen; children, Karen Kaufer and husband George, Trisha Gould and husband Lance, Keith Whalen and wife Chen, Tim Whalen and wife Kim; 10 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; sister, Mildred Smith; several nieces and nephews.
Loy was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Eugene Neal, Arthur Neal, and Frank Neal.
Visitation will be held on Monday evening August 23, 2021 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made in Loyeszelle’s name to First Baptist Church, 307 Massac Creek Road, Metropolis, Illinois 62960.
Pallbearers will be Matthew Bucella, Christopher Reyes, Patrick Whalen, Jeremy Whalen, Randy Hencken, Andrew Beal, and Jonathan Williams.
Music will be provided by Karen Wemhoener, pianist.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com
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