Thomas Earl Whipple

Thomas E. Whipple, 81, passed away on October 2, 2025, at his home in Arizona City, Arizona. He was born on August 10, 1944, in Dighton, Kansas, the son of Virgil and Ethel (Stout) Whipple.

Tom grew up in Beeler, Kansas, and graduated from Beeler High School. On August 20, 1967, he married Clarnetta Gumescheimer in Bazine, Kansas. He spent his time raising his family in Beeler and Ness City. He was a farmer in his early years later working in construction. He never lost his connection to the farm and took any opportunity to catch up on what was happening on the farm with his brothers and other family members whenever he could. He owned Tom Whipple Construction and built and remodeled many homes in Kansas and Colorado. He was also a previous owner/operator of Ness Bowl, in Ness City. He moved to Cañon City, Colorado, where he spent over 20 years and then chose to spend his final years traveling in his RV and spending the winters in Arizona.

Tom will be remembered for his hard work, his devotion to his family, his woodworking skills, his love for cooking on the grill and entertaining his friends and family, and for his quick wit and one-liners.

Tom is survived by his four children, Annetta (Pat) Fellhoelter, Bryan Whipple, of Ness City, Janetta (Pete) Flax, of Ransom and Loretta (Hunter) McMillen of Solomon; nine grandchildren, Landon, Jared (Miriam) and Kyler Fellhoelter, Seth (Ava), Bryce and Ethan Flax, Raegan, Logan and Kennedy McMillen; three great-grandchildren, Kamree, Kendall and Kooper Fellhoelter; two sisters-in-law, Neah Whipple of Great Bend and Ruby Whipple of Kalvesta; and his companion, Brenda Reiley, Arizona City.

Tom was proceeded in death by his parents and his brothers, Vyrl Whipple and Grover Whipple.

A funeral service will be held at Ness City Methodist Church, Ness City, Kansas, on Monday, October 13, 2025, 10:30 am. Burial will follow at the Beeler Cemetery, Beeler, Kansas. Viewing will be at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm with the family present from 5-7 pm.

Memorial contributions may be given to Beeler Cemetery Improvement Fund.