On February 5, 2026, two remarkable lives came to a peaceful close, leaving behind legacies of warmth, family devotion, and quiet accomplishment. Beverly S. Whealon, aged 95, passed away at Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, while Thomas Anthony Rau, aged 85, departed in Michigan. Their stories, though unfolding hundreds of miles apart, share the universal themes of love, resilience, and the enduring impact of a life well lived.
Beverly S. Whealon was born on January 25, 1931, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the daughter of Edgar and Salome (Eitneuer) Commo. According to her obituary posted online on February 6, 2026, Beverly, known to friends and family as Bev, was a woman whose "class and humor" never faded, even in her final days. She graduated from Roosevelt Junior and Senior High School in 1949, a milestone she shared with her close-knit community. Before marriage, she worked at Wells Manufacturing in Fond du Lac, a local company that provided her first taste of the working world.
Bev’s life took a defining turn on March 30, 1953, when she married Thomas E. Whealon at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, with Rev. H.G. Riordan presiding. Theirs was a partnership that spanned 72 years—an extraordinary testament to commitment and shared joy. Together, they raised seven children: Debra Whealon of Fond du Lac; Steven (Teresa) Whealon of Elcho; Sandra (Richard) Skalitzky of Rhinelander; Kevin (Polly) Whealon of Fond du Lac; Andrew (Christine) Whealon of Fond du Lac; Mary (Paul) Thomas of Uxbridge, Ontario; and Therese (Wayne) Arts of Gladstone, MI. Bev’s family continued to grow, eventually including fifteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, each of whom benefited from her boundless warmth and kindness.
Bev was known for her ability to "strike up a conversation with anyone," a gift that made people feel truly seen and heard. Her favorite song, “You Are My Sunshine,” became a symbol of the light she brought into the lives of those around her. Gardening, singing, and simple joys filled her days, and her welcoming household was a haven as the family moved throughout the Midwest. Her obituary notes, “When I come to the end of my journey and I travel my last weary mile, just forget if you can, that I ever frowned and only remember the smile.”
Bev is survived by not only her immediate family but also a brother-in-law, Robert Whealon; sisters-in-law, Barb Whealon and NorRita Corsmeier; and honorary grandsons, Anh Tran and Tu Phan. She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, her parents, and her four brothers—Donald, Robert, Clayton, and Tom Commo. In keeping with her humble nature, private family services were held, and the family requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Hospice Home of Hope through the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation.
Meanwhile, in Michigan, Thomas Anthony Rau’s journey was marked by a deep appreciation for history, family, and the simple pleasures of life. Born on July 3, 1940, in Flint, Michigan, to Clayton John Rau and Bernice Agnes (Murphy), Tom’s childhood was described as "happy and carefree," filled with adventures in the woods of West Branch alongside friends and cousins. According to the Saginaw News on MLive.com, which published his obituary from February 6 to February 8, 2026, Tom’s early years laid the foundation for a life of curiosity and connection.
Tom graduated from Holy Redeemer High School, where he played football and basketball, acted in theater, and participated in a variety of school activities. After high school, he worked as an X-Ray Technician in Bay City, where fate introduced him to his future wife, Elaine Hammis, then a nursing student. The two married in 1961, beginning a union that would last an impressive 65 years.
Education and service became pillars of Tom’s career. He attended Michigan State University to earn his teaching degree, later working as a school teacher and as a salaried worker for General Motors. These roles allowed him to support his growing family and foster a love for learning in others. Upon retirement, Tom and Elaine settled at Townline Lake, where he delighted in fishing and swimming with his children and grandchildren—a testament to his enduring love of nature and family togetherness.
Tom’s interests were as varied as they were passionate. He loved playing euchre, watching Michigan State University sports, and reading about history, with a particular fascination for the U.S. Civil War and World War II. Family trips crisscrossed the nation, with camping adventures at old battlefields, historical sites, and national parks. Tom was the kind of person who "never passed a roadside historical marker without stopping to read it," a detail that paints a vivid picture of his insatiable curiosity and appreciation for the stories that shaped America.
Tom is survived by his wife Elaine; daughters Michelle Landeryou and Denise Hufford (David); sons John Rau (Hollie) and Stephen Rau (Trina); eleven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Theresa Earley, brother-in-law James Earley, and his daughter Andrea Beidelman (Kerry). Visitation was scheduled for February 9, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Freeland, Michigan, with a Mass immediately following. In a gesture reflecting Tom’s lifelong commitment to learning, the family requested that donations be made to Tamarack District Library in Lakeview, Michigan, in lieu of flowers.
Both Beverly and Tom’s stories remind us that a life does not have to be marked by grand achievements to be truly meaningful. Their legacies are found in the families they nurtured, the communities they enriched, and the small, daily acts of kindness that rippled outward. For those who knew them, the loss is profound—but so, too, is the gratitude for the years they shared and the memories that endure.
Online condolences for Beverly S. Whealon can be shared at zacherlfuneralhome.com, a small but meaningful way for friends and acquaintances to express their sympathy and recall fond memories. For Tom Rau, the Saginaw News on MLive.com offered a space for the community to reflect and remember.
As winter presses on in the Midwest, the passing of Beverly S. Whealon and Thomas Anthony Rau serves as a gentle reminder of the bonds that connect us, the importance of family, and the quiet power of a life lived with heart. Their stories, now woven into the fabric of their families and communities, will continue to inspire for generations to come.