Thomas E. "Tom" Whalen

Thomas E. "Tom" Whalen, 77, of Strasburg died Tuesday, August 2, 2016 in Affinity Medical Center following a sudden illness.

Born August 17, 1938 in Canton he was a son of the late William and Mary Beard.

Tom was a 1958 graduate of Beach City High School. He was employed at the Timken Co. in Canton, having retired in 1999 after 39 years of service. Tom was a Firefighter with the Strasburg Fire Department, having served his community for 55 years. He began his career in 1961 and eventually obtained the rank of Lieutenant while also serving the department as a Trustee. His dedication to the residents of Strasburg spanned over five decades as he continued running calls up until the day of his illness. Whether it was helping with a fish fry or the OX Roast, one could count on Tom to be there, working from morning until night. His love for his community has inspired three more generations of the Whalen family to be a part of the fire department. Tom was also a talented artist who enjoyed painting and wood carving, but he loved spending his free time with his family at the cabin on Lake Fizzle.

A wonderful and loving husband, father and grandfather, Tom will be sadly missed by his wife of 56 years, Johnny Newman Whalen whom he married on June 19, 1960; children, Scott (Barb) Whalen, Lauri (Joe) Turek, Todd (Becka) Whalen all of Strasburg; 11 grandchildren, Amy, Reid, Tammy, Aaron, Jordan, Logan, Evann, Jaidan, Ryann, Madalyn and Gehrig; three great grandchildren, Jace, Joe, Sarah and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 8 at 11:00 am in the St. John United Church of Christ at Strasburg with Pastor Jason Rissler officiating. Interment will be in the Grandview Union Cemetery where the Strasburg Fire Department will conduct the Fireman's Service. Following the burial, a luncheon will be held at the fire department. Friends can call in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory at Dover on Sunday from 2-5 pm. Those wishing to express their fondest memories of Tom may do so by visiting the online obituaries and flowers link on the funeral homes website.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Affinity Medical Center and Compassionate Care Hospice for their wonderful and exceptional care shown towards Tom.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John United Church of Christ at 516 N. Wooster Ave., Strasburg, Ohio 44680 or to the Strasburg Fire Department at PO Box 167 Strasburg.