Evangel University director dies

Evangel University Director of University Relations Dennis Whaley died Aug. 22 after complications from surgery at Cox South. He was 58.

Whaley was involved in pastoral ministry for 26 years, serving churches in Texas, Colorado, Tennessee and Springfield. He was also a member of Leadership Springfield, involved with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, an active member and past board member of the Springfield-Southeast Rotary Club and a member of the board of the Springfield Sister Cities Association, according to his obituary, provided to Springfield Business Journal by Evangel University.

Whaley was Evangel's director of university relations for the past nine years.

Paul Logsdon, Evangel director of public relations and publications, said Whaley's death was a personal loss - the two met in 1973 while attending Evangel - and a loss for the community.

"Dennis is the type of guy that once you're his friend, you're his friend for life," Logsdon said. "He was one of those types of people you'll come across once in your entire lifetime.

"There's not another Dennis Whaley in the world."

Logsdon said Whaley had successful heart surgery but that there were complications due to residual radiation from when he beat cancer about 25 years ago.

Whaley is survived by his wife Teena Whaley; his daughter and her husband, Sara and Jason Kunau; a brother and his wife, Taylor and Julie Miller; sister Annette Whaley; and several other family members, according to his obituary.

A visitation will be held Aug. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Central Assembly of God, 1301 N. Boonville Ave., and interment will be Aug. 28 at Greenlawn Cemetery.[[In-content Ad]]