Duane L. Whalen, 63, of Ely, Minn., passed away Friday, Sept. 21, 2012, at his home following a short illness.

Duane was born on Nov. 26, 1948, in Austin, Minn., to Leslie and Margaret (Schafer) Whalen and grew up there. He was a U. S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and married Jeanne Barnett on May 12, 1973, in Austin. They had been Ely residents since 1975. Duane was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely and worked for the U. S. Forest Service.

He is survived by his wife Jeanne Whalen of Ely; three brothers, Don (Karen) Whalen, Kevin (Della) Whalen and Michael Whalen; two sisters, Susan (Harry) Davis and Aletha (Leo) Coyle; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with the Rev. Fr. William Skarich as celebrant. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial, with military rites accorded by the Ely Color Guard, will be in the Ely Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.

A memorial service will be held in Austin at a later date.