Janet Viola Whalen

Janet Viola Whalen (Nelson), age 82, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on January 12, 2026.

Jan was born March 16, 1943 in Joliet, Illinois. She was the only child of Viola (Teuffer) and George Nelson. Janet graduated from Joliet Central High School in 1961. She then married Rollie Whalen on May 26, 1962 and was married for 41 wonderful years before Rollie passed away in 2003. Jan and Rollie raised their family in Lockport and had three children: Randy, Brad and Kristen.

Jan worked for many years as receptionist at Fitness Forum in Lockport and loved working with the people and seeing all of the “regulars” who would come in for workouts or play tennis. She was a member of Christian Women’s Club and was very active in her church, First Church of the Nazarene, Lemont.

Most of all Jan loved raising her three children, being involved in their activities and cheering them on in all of their academics and sporting events. Jan and Rollie’s home was always a welcoming place for their kids and their friends to hang out.

Jan and Rollie thoroughly enjoyed their “empty nester” years, by becoming snow birds, spending their winters in Redington Shores, FL. There, they made wonderful friends and created lasting memories. Jan loved to travel and took some amazing trips to Spain, Italy, Alaska and Norway to name a few.

In 2018 Jan moved to the Indianapolis area with her daughter Kristen and her family. Jan spent her last years living at Allisonville Meadows Assisted Living and we would like to thank them for their attentive and gracious care.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Viola and George Nelson and her husband, Rollie Whalen. She is survived by her 3 children: Randy Whalen, Brad (Kelly) Whalen and Kristen (David) Drabek, 6 beautiful granddaughters: Adriana (Tyler) Cronin, Julia Whalen, Amber Papas, Cassidy Drabek, Corynn Drabek and Celine Drabek, and very special cousins in the Soltwisch, Fecht and Genda families.

While the family circle is relatively small, Jan made up for that with an abundance of lifelong friendships. She will go on in the hearts of so many that she touched with her caring and friendly personality.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Church of the Nazarene, 12725 Bell Rd. Lemont, IL 60439 on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Visitation is from 10am to Noon with the Service at Noon. A refreshment hour will follow the conclusion of the service.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to MorningStar Mission, Joliet in Janet’s name would be appreciated.

https://morningstarmission.org/donate/