Robert “Adam” Whelchel, 30, passed away Oct. 22, 2005 while surrounded by family at his home in Bartlett, Ill. Adam was born in Meridian, Miss., on Feb. 25, 1975, son of Danny Whelchel, Huntsville, Ark., and Laurie Freeman, Coupeville.
Adam graduated from Marysville-Pilchuck High School in 1994 and thereafter joined the Navy. Adam’s recruit training was at Great Lakes, Ill., and then was assigned to the aircraft carrier, USS Carl Vinson, with deployment to the Persian Gulf War and a West-Pac cruise. After completing his four-year tour of duty, Adam continued his education in Fayetteville, Ark., at Northwest Technical Institute in the field of Automotive Service Technology. Adam was dedicated to this field of study and a National Honor Society student. He continued his automotive studies at Southern Illinois University and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in December 2001.
Adam was hired by General Motors in January 2002 and moved to the Chicago area where he worked in their service/warranty division as a customer service representative. His gentle, kind nature was well known throughout the company and admired by many. His young career was suddenly cut short upon the diagnosis of brain cancer in 2003. But with courage and determination he fought back and returned to work, married his college love and lived his life to its very fullest for the next year and a half.
Adam was an avid movie buff, enjoyed a challenging game of pinochle, dominoes or any other game that was set before him. He became involved with “Civil War” reenactments and “gaming” with good buddies. And time spent on the water, fishing, boating and the riding his wave runner with friends and family gave him great joy. Adam was an assistant Boy Scout leader, and truly an inspiration to many young boys, as he lived his final year bravely.
Adam is survived by his wife, Christina Doepke, Bartlett, Ill., and a very large, extensive family that partially include his mother and step father, Laurie and Hershel Freeman, Coupeville; grandparents, Phyllis Vansandt, Coupeville, Dean Vansandt, Herford, Texas, and Lloyd Bower, Springdale, Ark.,; uncles and aunts, Collin and JoAnn Vansandt, Langley, Clay Vansandt, Burlington, James and Kate Vansandt, Roanoke, Texas, Eldon and Kelly Vansandt, Calgary, Alberta, Ken and Carol Whelchel, Bellingham, Clifton and Jan Bowers, Springdale, Ark. Viewing and a memorial service was held Oct. 25 at Rosedale Chapel, Roselle, Ill.
To know Adam was to love Adam. His heart-warming smile and unpredictable sense of humor will be fondly remembered by one and all. Adam touched the lives and hearts of so many, and indeed, he taught us all why the gift of life should never be taken for granted. God Bless you . . . may you rest in peace.
