Obituary

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Bradley Chase Whalen, who was born on July 12, 1962, in Dayton, Ohio. Brad passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2026, following a brief hospitalization at Kettering Memorial Hospital.

Brad was preceded in death by his mother, Clara Ruth (Headley) Whalen. He is survived by his father, Spencer Chase Whalen of Harriman, Tennessee; his sister, Kimberly Whalen of Dayton, Ohio; and his brother, Bryan Whalen of Buford, Georgia.

Brad was born in Dayton, Ohio, and grew up in Union, Ohio. In his twenties, he spent several years living in Zanesville, Ohio with his mother. He spent much of his life between Dayton, Ohio, and Harriman, Tennessee—places he considered home. In his final year, Brad lived in Dayton with his sister, where he enjoyed fishing and spending time with his lifelong friend, Floyd. In March of this year, he met and fell in love with a special woman named Sue, and often shared how fortunate he felt to have found her.

Brad was a gentle and kind soul who treated everyone he met with courtesy and respect. Known for his authenticity, he spoke honestly and lived sincerely. He was exceptionally friendly and made a habit of greeting nearly everyone he passed, whether in his neighborhood or around town.

From a young age, Brad found joy in the outdoors. As a boy, he spent countless hours fishing, hunting, trapping, and walking through the woods. This love of nature remained with him throughout his life, and he was known to walk several miles each day. Brad preferred the outdoors to staying inside, and in addition to nature, he enjoyed good food and music.

Throughout his adult life, Brad faced challenges with mental illness. While these struggles brought difficulties, they never affected his sense of humor or his understanding of what truly mattered in life. He remained strong in spirit and will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

Bradley was cremated. A memorial service and potluck picnic will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Jane Newcom Park, 1298 Tudor Road, Dayton, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Brad’s memory may be made to the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation. Contributions may be made online or by mail at:

Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation
Attn: Philanthropy Department
409 E. Monument Avenue, Third Floor
Dayton, OH 45402