George "Jack" Whan, 82, of Rock Island, died Thursday, October 30, 2014 at Amber Ridge Memory Care, Moline.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Moline. Private inurnment will be later at Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island, which will be preceded by a Christian Wake service at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Moline, Alleman High School, Rock Island or to a favorite charity.

He was born on July 20, 1932 in Monmouth, Ill., a son of Lawrence and Cecile Shaw Whan. Jack was raised in Rock Island, graduating from Rock Island High School and Augustana College. He participated in sports, music and drama. He married Katherine "Kay" Duyvejonck on Feb. 7, 1959 in Rock Island.

Jack retired in 1992 from the Rock Island School District 41, completing 36 years of service. His teaching encompassed Big Island grade school, Edison Jr. High School and Rock Island High School. After coaching several sports in earlier years, he served as Athletic Director at the high school and also was supervisor of the buildings and grounds of the district . An assignment (and challenge) in 1967 was to organize, seek funding and implement the Head Start program. Humbly but proudly, Jack was inducted into the Rock Island Alumni Hall of Fame and the Augustana Tribe of Vikings Hall of Honor. Rock Island High School was always foremost in his lifetime, but he cherished his long association with Alleman High School, especially with Rev. Daniel Mirabelli.

Additionally, Jack was a co-owner of the Cele Whan Academy of Beauty, Magic Wand Salons and the Quad-City Athletic Club. His memberships included Sacred Heart Parish, Moline, Allouez Council 658 Knights of Columbus and the Alleman Booster Club.

Survivors include his wife, Kay; sons, Michael (Patricia) Whan, Aledo, Steven (Yoshie) Whan, Carol Stream, Ill., and David (Mary) Whan, Coal Valley; grandchildren, Lindsey, Blake, Bradley, Samuel, Connor, Kelan, and Heather Jo; two great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Evelyn Whan of Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald; and nephew, Donald Jr.

The family wishes to thank Amber Ridge and Heartland Hospice of Davenport for the wonderful and compassionate care given to Jack during his illness.

Online condolences may be left at wheelanpressly.com.