Howard Orton Whelpley

M, (13 June 1919 - 21 March 2006)
Father-Biological*Edward Horace Whelpley b. 1 Sep 1895, d. 7 Mar 1964
Mother-Biological*Grace Evelen Seymour b. 1 Nov 1893, d. 18 Mar 1990
Last Edited=20 Feb 2026
Howard Whelpley
     Howard Orton Whelpley was born on 13 June 1919 at Northfield, Vermont.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 He was the son of Edward Horace Whelpley and Grace Evelen Seymour. Howard Orton Whelpley appeared on the US Census of 1920 in the household of his grand-parents, Francis Xavier and Ellen M. Seymour.9 Howard appeared on the US Census of 1930 living at 37 Jay Street, Boston, Massachusetts,in the household of his parents, Grace Evelen and Edward Horace Seymour.10 Howard appeared on the US Census of 1940 living at 37 Jay Street, Boston, Massachusetts,in the household of his parents, Edward Horace and Grace Evelen Whelpley.11 On on 16 October 1940, Howard registered for the World War II draft, while living at 37 Jay Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Giving his age as 37 and his employer as Edward H. Whelpley, his father. His address was later changed to 3629 Petersham Road, Athol, Massachusetts.5

Howard Orton Whelpley married Ruth Adeline Welch, daughter of George Leslie Welch and Sophronia Jenice Magee, in 1941 at the Athol, Massachusetts.

Children:
1. Dennis E. Whelpley
2. Carol A. Whelpley
3. Cary A. Whelpley
4. Neil E. Whelpley
5. Judith Whelpley.12,13,14,15,8


Mr. Whelpley was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy. He served on two amphibious repair ships the USS Billerrphon and the USS Krishna.8 Howard Orton Whelpley appeared as Head of Household with Ruth Adeline Welch, his wife, on the United States Census of 1950 at 1079 Pleasant Street, Athol, Massachusetts.15 Howard was an auto mechanic working in a garage in 1950.15 1961, Howard joined the Star Lodge of the Masons at Athol, Massachusetts. He was a resident of Northfield, Massachusetts at the time he joined.4 In March 1964 Howard lived at Athol, Massachusetts, at the time of his father, Edward Whelpley's death.16 He died on 21 March 2006 at home on Athol, Massachusetts, at age 86.1,3,6,8,7 Howard's obituary of 22 March 2006, reads:

Howard O. Whelpley


ATHOL - Howard O. Whelpley, 86, of 1079 Pleasant St., died Tuesday March 21, 2006, at home.

He was born in Northfield, VT, on June 13, 1919. the son of the late Edward E. H. and the Late Evelyn (Seymour) Whelpley. He grew up in Boston living on Beacon Hill for 21 years. He graduated from Boston English High School.

Mr. Whelpley was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy. He served on two amphibious repair ships the USS Billerrphon and the USS Krishna.

He was known as "Mr. Buick," he operated Taylor Buick for many years, he also operated Howard's Plymouth in Athol for over 15 years retiring in 1981.

He was a member and past exalted ruler of the Athol-Orange Lodge of Elks 1837. He was a former member of the Athol American Legion Post No. 102. He was a member of the Starrett United Methodist Church.

He leaves his wife of 64 years, Ruth A. (Welch) Whelpley; three sons, Dennis E. Whelpley and his wife Patricia, of Athol, Cary A. Whelpley and his wife Donna, of Pepperell, Neil E. Whelpley and his wife, Dawn of Townsend' two daughters, Carole A. Welsh and her husband, Gene, of Chelfmsford, Judith A. McNamara and her husband, David, of Pittsburgh, PA; two sisters. Elaine Kolinski and Louise Whelpley both of Stoughton, MA; two brothers, Rance Whelpley of Houston, TX, Richard Whelpley of Athol; 13 grandchildren, Jeff Whelpley, Craig Walsh, Deanna Reynolds, Debra Bradley, Jennifer Wetherby, Jill Sacovitch, Katie Bennett, Patrick Walsh, Elizabeth McNamara, Allison McNamara, Kathleen McNamara, Nicole Whelpley, Ryan Whelpley; 14 Great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Herman Whelpley and Lee Whelpley.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 24, at 11:30 a.m. in the Fiske Funeral Home, 1356 Main St. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.

Calling house will be held Thursday March 23, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to Gardner Visiting Nursing Association, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440.

Published by The Athol Daily News.8
Howard was buried on 24 March 2006 at Highland Cemetery, Athol, Massachusetts.1,8,7

Full review completed: 12 October 2024.

Citations

  1. Find-a-Grave. Online https://www.findagrave.com/
  2. Vital Records Office, Vermont Department of Health. Vermont, U.S., Birth Records, 1909-2008. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2010.
  3. Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2011.
  4. Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Mason Membership Cards, 1733-1990. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2013.
  5. United States, Selective Service System. U.S. World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2011.
  6. Social Security Administration. U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2015.
  7. National Cemetery Administration. U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2019. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2006.
  8. The Athol Daily News, "Howard O. Whelpley" Athol, Massachusetts, 22 March 2006.
  9. Census Bureau. 1920 U.S. Federal Census. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2010.
  10. Census Bureau. 1930 U.S. Federal Census. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2002.
  11. Census Bureau. 1940 U.S. Federal Census. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2012.
  12. Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, U.S., Marriage Index, 1901-1955 and 1966-1970. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2013.
  13. Ancestry.com. U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2011.
  14. The Athol Daily News, "Ruth Adeline (Welch) Whelpley, 91" Athol, Massachusetts, 13 February 201.
  15. Census Bureau. 1950 U.S. Federal Census. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2022.
  16. Boston Globe, "WHELPLEY In Brighton" Boston, 8 March 1964.