David Joseph Whipple

David Joseph Whipple, 70 years of age, and a resident of Grafton, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at Medina Hospital, following a sudden illness.

He was born October 22, 1950, in Elmira, New York where he was raised.  David moved to Florida in 1976 before moving to Grafton in 2009 where he had resided until his passing.

Whether it be at First Baptist Church, Horsehead, NY or First Baptist Church in Elyria; wherever David attended church he could be found actively serving his Lord. David was employed with Baptist Church Planters in Grafton.  He had a servant's heart and demonstrated that in each role he had, serving as the Chairman for the Finance and Building Committees, or as the  Executive Director with ChurchCare, or as the  Administrative Vice President and Treasurer for Baptist Church Planters.  David along with his wife were awarded by Baptist Church Planter their highest honor, the Aquila and Priscilla Award, for their commitment to the church planting effort. In previous years he was also employed with Comet Electric in Florida and was owner of DJW Homes in New York.  David was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, and enjoyed four wheeling with his wife and family. Reading and spending quiet moments in devotions were also treasured. He loved spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren’s events whenever possible.

David leaves to cherish his loving wife of fifty-one years, Diana Helene Whipple (nee: Swartz); his children, Corey Whipple of Atlanta, GA, Joseph Whipple (Dana) of Lexington, KY, Mary Schuler (Dean) of Miamisburg; his grandchildren, Brinley Schuler, Layna Schuler, Ava Kate Whipple, Kara Grace Whipple, and Andrew Smith; his siblings, Rev. Donald Whipple (Sue) of Winamac, IN, Dennis Whipple (Darselle) of Ft. Wayne, IN, Rev. Steven Durrwachter (Nancy) of Huntington, IN and Susan Louis Whipple of Hiram, GA.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Michael Ann Ingerham; and by his parents Paul Joseph and Allegra Whipple (nee: Rowe) both in 2019.

Public reception of friends will be held Friday, September 10, 2021 from 10 am until the time of  funeral services at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church; 11400 LaGrange Road, Elyria, Ohio.   Burial will take place privately by the family at a later date.  A private gathering for family will take place following services.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Baptist Church Planters, 36830 Royalton Road, Grafton, OH 44044.

The Hempel Funeral Home is honored to serve the David Whipple  family and has made available for the community's convenience an on-line register book as well as additional information to help facilitate expressions of compassion.  Log on at www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of David Joseph Whipple, please visit our Tree Store.