Ralph Whalen

Mr. Ralph Francis Whalen passed away on Friday, November 20th, 2020 at his home in Darlington, WI. He was born on November 9th, 1925 to Joseph and Mona (Ward) Whalen in Darlington. With his parents and younger brothers, Ralph grew up on the family farm. He attended Paper School and graduated from Darlington High School where he played the violin in the orchestra and was a member of the football team. After graduation in 1943, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a time before enlisting in the United States Army. As a member of the elite Army Air Corps, Mr. Whalen chose to be a Ball Turret Gunner and was deployed to England, arriving just as World War II ended in Europe. He was returning to the USA by ship for re-deployment to the South Pacific when the war in the South Pacific ended. Upon honorable discharge from the military, he returned to Darlington. Following the formation of the United States Air Force as an independent branch of the military Mr. Whalen enlisted again with plans to become an Air Force pilot. Upon completion of his training, including his successful solo test flight, he experienced some minor health issues that precluded him from becoming an Air Force pilot. He then enrolled in Northrop Aeronautical Institute in Inglewood, CA. Upon his graduation, he returned to Darlington to pursue his life-long passion for agriculture. On June 8th, 1950, Mr. Whalen married Margaret Loudell Paynter at the Methodist Church in Darlington. Along with their four children they worked very hard and successfully on their own dairy farm; eventually they also purchased his parents' home farm, both on Highway F north of Darlington. In 1995, Ralph and Margaret retired and moved into town. Though retired from farming Mr. Whalen continued to work as a seasonal employee for the local FS and for Lands' End in Dodgeville. For a time he also was a driver for Virtue Motors, eventually retiring completely at age 83.Active in the community, Mr. Whalen served multiple terms on the City Council and was a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the former Citizens Bank in Darlington. He was a member of American Legion Post 214, and was also a member of the United Methodist Church, where he volunteered as an usher. He was an active member of the Dora Ritter Wellness Center until age 90, working out and walking almost daily. He had a life-long interest in aviation, was a football fan and loved to watch the Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers. A strong advocate for quality education, Mr. Whalen was proud that all of his children continued their education after high school, graduated from their respective schools and lived independently and responsibly. He was an active supporter of the Darlington School system, and he valued intelligence, hard work and accountability.His survivors include his children: Judith Whalen of Darlington; Margie Whalen (Mark Zager) of Madison; and Marilyn (John) Bustle of Asbury, IA. He is further survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Perry Bustle of Darlington; Tim and Amanda Bustle and their children, Avery and Soren of Stuart, FL; and Valerie Bustle Richmond (Brad) and their son, Theodore, of Huntersville, NC. Additional survivors include nephews and nieces; Margaret's sisters-in-law Marian Paynter of Darlington and Gloria Sargent of Shullsburg; and Margaret's friend and cousin, Marion Howard, of Darlington. Mr. Whalen was predeceased by his wife, Margaret, on September 27th, 1996; his son Gerald on November 26th, 1982; his brothers, Duane in infancy, and Keith in 1983. His brother, Delbert, remains Missing in Action from his military service during the Korean War. A public visitation will be held Tuesday, November 24, 2020 from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. at Erickson Funeral Home (508 Main St., Darlington). The family will not be present for the visitation. However, they invite friends and family to pay their respects during the allotted time of the visitation. A private family graveside service will be held on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 with Rev. Angela Utter of Darlington United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery where military graveside rites will be accorded by Bates-O'Brien-Howe-Wiegel Roelli American Legion Post #214 of Darlington. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family. Due to Wisconsin state mandate, masks are to be worn for the duration of your visit inside the funeral home and that proper social distancing guidelines are practiced.