Emmett James Whealan

Loving husband of the late Dorothy Whealan, nee Kruger; Beloved father of Kelly (Brent) George, Kerry (Douglas) Dowling, Patrick (Natalie) Whealan, the late Edward Whealan, Erin (Richard Mayorga) Whealan, and the late Barbara Dobney; Cherished Papa of Emmett, Kiernan, Brennan, Riley, Caitlin, Ryan, Edward, Jake, Miles, Sydney, Dion, Scott, and Christopher (Victoria); Dear brother of Patricia (late Terry) Hartigan, the late James (Anne) Whealan, Mary (late Andy) Burd, and Susan (Mark) Adorney; Uncle, sponsor, and friend to many.

Emmett was a life-long Southside Irish Catholic Chicagoan – not necessarily in that order. Emmett grew up in Christ the King parish before moving way, way South to raise his family in St. Barnabas. He attended St. Ignatius College Prep and then attended the University of Notre Dame. There should not be any question that the line from the fight song “Shake down the thunder from the skies” was written specifically for him. After Notre Dame, Dad drank himself out of law school (his line). He had a short enlistment in the United States Army running the induction center in Baltimore. He started in the trading field working with Thomson McKinnon at The Chicago Board of Trade. A friend was opening a clearing house at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and needed a floor manager, so Dad recommended himself. He became a CME member and made his real mark trading cattle futures for the rest of his working life. His kids never really knew if he was kidding when he asked Mom if the backyard could hold a delivery of cattle.

As an avid golfer and member of Beverly and Ridge Country Clubs, he leaves behind a plethora of club pieces and many embellished (mostly) stories from partners and caddies. In the times before cell phones, if you went looking for Dad, you called the Pro Shop, the Men’s Card Room or The Java. Dad was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous with 51 years sober with countless assists. We expect he will not rest in too much peace because Big Mama is telling him how right she was about everything (and she was) and planning their next adventure. And there will always be a crossword puzzle to solve in pen.

Friends and family will gather for a visitation for Emmett that will be held from 9 - 11 AM on Saturday, May 20th, at St. Barnabas Church, 10134 South Longwood Drive, Chicago, Illinois where an 11 AM Mass of Christian Burial will follow. Interment Holy Sepulcher Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The South End Alano Klub, 2508 Collins Street, Blue Island, Illinois, 60406

He will enter heaven just in time to tell St. Peter, “Hi My name is Emmett and I’m an alcoholic.”

As he always promised, it all worked out.