Robert "Mike" Michael Whalen

Robert Michael Whalen Jr. “Mike” age 75, passed away peacefully at home on July 26, 2023. Mike was born on April 11, 1948 to Robert Michael Whalen Sr. and Donna Herwat. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1966 and was a very proud veteran of The Navy. Mike married the love of his life, Cindy Hammons Taylor, on April 3, 1993. He was always known to say how much he wished they would have met sooner in life.

Mike never met a stranger. He was a jokester who would talk to anyone with his kind, outgoing friendliness. Mike loved to drive. He found a career in the trucking industry, working for Mellocraft for 35 years. Yet, for fun he loved to ‘take a drive’ on the weekends. One of his favorite places to drive was to Michigan, especially to the golf courses and resorts. He loved playing and watching golf, movies (especially Westerns), Snickers candy bars, BBQ, taking care of the yard and Cindy’s cooking. Most of all he loved his wife and family and spending as much time as he could together.

Mike is survived by his loving wife Cindy; son, Robert; daughter, Tonya (Bob) Shank; stepdaughter Amy Taylor Pitler; former stepdaughter, Jenny (Paul) Cook and children Michael and Brittney; grandchildren, Morgan and Robert Shank; sisters, Sandy (Jim) Teets and Laura Harr; brothers in law and sisters in law, Mark (Patricia) Hammons and J. Michael (Donna) Hammons; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, Emma and Harvey Spence.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 3, 2023 from 10am- 12pm at Walker Funeral Home, Holland-Springfield Chapel at 7438 Airport Hwy. Funeral services will be held at noon with burial to follow at Springfield Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.