Thomas John Whelan Jr., 80, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 29 and left this world for a better world where there are no more tears and no sorrow.

He was the leading car salesmen for Fordtown since the early 60s and was an avid gun collector and sportsman who enjoyed trapshooting, hunting and fishing. There will be a memorial gathering at Mayer Funeral Home in Austin on Saturday, Feb. 2. Visitation is at 10 a.m. and the service will be held at 11 a.m.

We mourn the loss of our dear husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He leaves behind his precious wife and best friend of 59 years, Donna Mae Wilson Whelan; his children, Vicki Whelan-White (Mrs. Don White of Honolulu, Hawaii), Dean Whelan (of Austin, Minn.), Sue Hardenburg (of Shorewood, Minn.), Kristine Whelan (of Baldwin, Wis.) and Rae Ann Whelan-Johnson (of Sanford, Fla.). He will also be greatly missed by his grandchildren Abigail, Michelle, Jacob, Heather and Amanda and his great-grandchildren Dillon, Robert, William, Madison and Xavier. He is mourned by his sisters, Maureen Brandau (of Charles City, Iowa), Katie (Mrs. Roger Eckenrod of Fort Meyer, Fla.) and Rita (Mrs. Larry) Herrboldt (of Delano).