Clarence Earl Whipple, 83, died April 7, 2018, at Thorne Care Center, Hutchinson. He was born May 27, 1934, in Alamota, the son of Clarence J. and Cecil L. (Davis) Whipple.  Earl graduated from Beeler High School and served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1958.  He was a lifetime farmer in both Ness and Stafford counties.  Earl was a member of Stafford Church of the Nazarene, serving as Sunday School bus driver, usher, treasurer, and member of the church board.

On July 6, 1955, he married Verna M. Duel in Ness City. She died July 5, 1998. On March 12, 1999, Earl married Norma L. Schoenthaler in Wichita. She died October 13, 2014.

He is survived by: daughters, Marlita Whipple of Oklahoma City, OK, Earlene Byler (Doug) of Asher, OK, Shirley Humes (Todd) of Hutchinson; sons, Douglas Whipple of Apache Junction, AZ, Danny Whipple of Oklahoma City, OK; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Ray Whipple (Joyce) of Ness City, Terry Whipple (Kay) of Oakley, Ned Whipple of Russell; sisters, Gertrude Slagle of Ness City, Rosie Johnston of Las Vegas, NV, Lois Mauch (John) of Beeler, Peggy Young (Jeff) of Utica; step-daughters, Delana Meyer of Overland Park and Kathy Hall of Kingman; nine step grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2018, at Elliott Chapel, with the Reverend Dr. David Dubovich officiating. Burial will follow in the Stafford Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard.  Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, at Elliott Mortuary.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Wounded Warrior Project, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.