Mr. Whippo

I was 16 when I entered his world.  I'd known him before that, but not well.  In 1968, I began dating his oldest daughter, Debbie.  That was forty-seven years ago...

He was a formidable man.  Every young man who pursued his daughters feared him!  He was intimidating!  There was no doubt who the dominant force in this family was.  I called him Mr. Whippo for a year or two after Debbie and I were married.  Eventually, though, he became Ken. 

For many years he worked on the wire gang at J&L Steel Company in Aliquippa.  He was respected for his skill and ability in that arena.  He drove a long way to work every day and often had to leave early in the morning - he didn't like that. 

When he came home, he kept busy with the farm.  He had taken a risk in the mid-fifties and bought an 80-acre farm in Enon Valley.  After going several directions with the farm, he eventually settled on raising pigs.  In 1973, the year Debbie and I were married, the barn burned to the ground which was a tragic loss for the family.

But he quickly recovered and built a new barn.  Other buildings were added and the farm grew - especially after he pensioned out of the steel mill.  Eventually, his son, Wally, bought the farm and it continues as a strong enterprise today.

I admired Ken for his ability and fearless approach to large projects.  He used his electrical background to help every one of his kids and many of his friends.  He's done wiring work in all of our homes at one time or another

For a few years he sold log home kits.  During those years he built three log homes from the ground up.  Although these projects stretched him, he persevered and finished each project with pride and satisfaction.

Ken came to faith in Christ when Debbie was thirteen.  She says that everything changed after that.  He led his family to church and became a leader there.  Early in his faith he came under the influence of a wonderful Bible teacher named Thelma and grew significantly in his knowledge of the scriptures.  For many years he sat under the amazing teaching of Pastor Fred Schreffler, which continued to ground him in his faith and theology.

He was a strong leader in the Rochester Free Methodist Church.  He was highly respected there and served for years as the Sunday School superintendent.  He always stood behind his pastor.  He taught classes regularly and excelled in his knowledge of 'End Times' perspectives and 'Creation' studies.  Several of his children continue teaching on the subject of 'End Times' - basing their instruction on the foundations they learned from their father.

He became one of the first laymen to be Camp Director at the Tri-State Camp Association in East Liverpool.  To this day, his family gathers for the ten-day camp every July.  His influence there and the work done over the years is a testimony to his belief in the solidarity of the family! 

Ken was a life-long learner.  I was always intrigued by the books he was reading.  His interests ranged widely and I never knew him to follow any particular author.  He read world history, military books, political history, and biographies.  He could converse on subjects that were beyond many of us.

While raising their family of nine, the dinner table was a center for teaching and open conversation.  Often we stayed around the table for hours discussing subjects from the mundane to serious.  He openly shared what he was learning from the Bible with his children at that table.  In a sense, he discipled his kids by sharing his own faith development with them openly.

Ken and Dolores were excellent dancers.  Debbie remembers pushing the living room furniture back so that the children could watch as their parents danced to the music of Lawrence Welk on the television!  They were mesmerized by the scene.

In his latter years he mellowed.  The strong personality faded a bit and he became more gentle and caring.  The younger grandchildren have known him as a doting grandfather who made late-night 'Santa calls' and expressed open affection for them. 

Since Dolores had a stroke, he has been devoted to her, serving her daily and rarely leaving her side. 

Although his role of active leadership at the church has diminished, he is still highly regarded in the congregation as a stable, grounded influencer whose integrity has remained intact throughout the years.

Last evening - Christmas night - he thoroughly enjoyed being surrounded by his children and grandchildren.  Pictures reveal him smiling and reveling in the love of his family.  Late in the evening, when many had left he stretched and had a cardiac arrest.  He never regained consciousness.

Although his family is in deep grief, they will be able to live with a convincing assurance of where Ken is now.  His legacy will continue and his stories will be retold.