Linda Mae Whalen

Linda Mae Whalen, age 66, of Aquilla, passed away late Friday morning, January 27, 2012 at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco, surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church of West, with Dr. John Crowder officiating. Burial will follow at Vaughan Cemetery near Aquilla. The family will receive visitors from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Linda was born March 15, 1945 in Abbott, the daughter of Albert and Jimmie Dae (Altum) Maler. She attended schools in Abbott and graduated from Abbott High School in 1964. On September 27, 1964 she married the love of her life, Ronnie Whalen in West. He preceded her in death on April 21, 1997. Ronnie and Linda owned and operated the R&R Processing Plant in Aquilla for the past 35 years, 15 of which were on her own. Linda was a member of the Aquilla Baptist Church and West Fair and Rodeo Association. She enjoyed cooking, fishing, rodeos, trips to Louisiana, and was a season ticket holder for Lady Bears Basketball. She especially loved spending time with her family and grandkids. If she wasn't out eating with her brothers and sisters monthly, you could find her at Pizza House. Her life revolved around her family. From baseball games to stock shows to spending quality time with her granddaughter, she always put her grandkids first. Linda is also preceded in death by her parents and five brothers, Joe Edd Maler, John Earl Maler, Charles Maler, James Maler and Jimmy Maler. Survivors include two daughters, Jimmie Sue Gibson and husband David of Aquilla and Rhonda Embry and husband Jason of Axtell; grandchildren, Kara Mynarcik and husband Alex, Jase Embry and Brazos Gibson; two brothers, Kenneth Maler and wife Leona and Jerry Maler and wife Louise; three sisters, Beulah Zahirniak and husband Bill "PeeWee", Beverly Keen and husband John, and Janet Peterson; a brother-in-law, Reggie Whalen and wife Martha Ann; two sisters-in-law, Jeannie Maler and Doris Maler; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Weldon "Bubba" Whalen, Jase Embry, Brazos Gibson, Alex Mynarcik, David Zahirniak, Robert Peterson, Kevin Maler, Alan Keen and Doug Maler. Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Todd, Steve Zahirniak, Ken Zahirniak, Mike Zahirniak, David Maler, Michael Maler, Richard Maler, Randy Maler, Robert Maler, Ernest Maler, Johnny Maler and Ricky Maler. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund; West Volunteer Ambulance Association, Aquilla, West, and Axtell Volunteer Fire Departments; or the charity of your choice.