Obit: Whaples, Howard L. #2 (1925 - 2008)

Contact: Stan

Surnames: Whaples, Dennis, Evans, Kreft, Kusiak, Franklin

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Wednesday, 8 Oct. 2008

Whaples, Howard L. (11 Dec. 1925 - 6 Oct. 2008)

Abbotsford, Wis. -- Howard L. Whaples, 82, of Abbotsford, Wisconsin died Monday, Oct. 6, 2008, at the InnCare of Abbotsford, Wis.

Funeral services for Howard will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Abbotsford, Wis.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service, Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home and one hour before services Saturday at the church.

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Thursday, 9 Oct. 2008

Abbotsford, Wis. -- Howard L. Whaples, 82, of Abbotsford, Wisconsin, died Monday, Oct. 6, 2008, at the InnCare of Abbotsford after a lengthy bout of Parkinson's disease.

Funeral services for Howard will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Abbotsford, Wis. The Rev. Benjamin Franklin will officiate.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford and one hour before services at church on Saturday. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. Friday at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford, Wis.

Howard was born in Marshfield on Dec. 11, 1925, the son of Carroll and Bessie (Hause) Whaples.

Howard grew up in Arpin and attended Arpin Grade School. He graduated from Marshfield High School. Upon graduation, Howard entered the U.S. Army, serving in Japan. After an honorable discharge from the Army, he was employed at the Wisconsin Power and Light Company for a short time and then went into banking, working at Peoples State Bank of Arpin and Vesper.

Howard joined the Auburndale Bank in 1972, serving as CEO for many years, at which time he also operated the bank's insurance agency. At the conclusion of his banking years he moved to Phillips and worked as an insurance agent for the Wenzel Insurance Agency until 1985 when he moved to Abbotsford and was employed in insurance. Howard joined the Stock-Anderson Agency in Colby, which later was purchased by Sally Kreft. Howard and Sally were married in 1987 and together they owned and operated the Anderson-Kreft Agency until retirement in 1996.

Howard was in his 30s when he joined the Lions Organization. Howard was the first District Governor of 27-C1 in 1969-1970. As a Lions member, Howard served as president for the Arpin, Vesper Phillips and Abbotsford Lions Clubs, as well as serving as a zone chairman and was on the National Convention Committee. Howard received the Lions Melvin Jones Award. He attended many state conventions until his health prevented him from attending.

He received the Presidential Certificate of Achievement in March of 2005 from International President Clem Kusiak. This certificate confirms the recognition of distinguished achievement in leadership and service to Lionism for more than 40 years.

Howard was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Abbotsford, Abbotsford Lions, Colby VFW and Arpin American Legion. He enjoyed sports, playing on the baseball team in his high school years. He was an avid musky fisherman and enjoyed hunting, bowling, playing cards, and golfing -- playing in numerous insurance tournaments.

Howard is survived by his wife, Sally, of Abbotsford; daughters Cindy (Paul) Dennis of Milwaukee and Judy Evans of Nekoosa; stepsons Claude (Sue) Kreft of Athens, Glen (Florence) Kreft of Marathon, and Gary (Sharon) Kreft of Athens; 10 step-grandchildren and 14 step-great-grandchildren.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents and twin brothers at birth.

Donations can be given to the Lion's Camp in Rosholt.

Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

God saw he was getting tired

And a cure was not to be

So He put his arms around him

And whispered, "Come with me"

With tearful eyes we watched him fade away.

Although we loved him dearly

We could not make him stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Working hands to rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us

He only takes the best.

[2data/footer_gif.html]