Deacon Tom Whalen was born May 11, 1936, in Hannibal, Missouri, and raised in a devout Catholic family. A pharmacist by profession, he served as a hospital pharmacy director in Hannibal and later as a consulting pharmacist for the State of Missouri, retiring in 1998. Ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Jefferson City in 1996, he has ministered in prisons, nursing homes, and hospitals for over two decades. He has also been actively involved in youth ministry, leading numerous Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) retreats as well as more than 40 prison retreats. A deep devotion to the Eucharist, the Rosary, and pro-life advocacy has marked his life.