Kevin J. Whelpley

Kevin Whelpley was a tough man, who often lived a tough life, yet overcame every obstacle that stood in his way, through determination, and an amazing self-reliance that inspired so many others. He was a devoted husband, a proud, loving father, and a friend to many, yet it is his example that we remember most about Kevin today. Kevin's story began on a cold, February day in 1968, in the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Those were tumultuous times in this country, when the Vietnam War was at its peak, and social change was transforming daily life. More than anything, those were days when people stood up for what they believed in. Kevin was born on February 5, and his life taught him to believe in himself from an early age, when he was faced with so many hurdles as a child. His birth parents are unknown, and Kevin was adopted by two families that treated him poorly and abused him. He finally found a home with the Whelpley family in Shelby, Michigan. His adoptive grandfather particularly, who really seemed to "get who Kevin," took Kevin under his wing, and taught him how to hunt, and to fish, which would become lifelong passions of Kevin's. Sadly, Kevin's time with the Whelpley's would also end too soon, and when he was just 12 years old, the family disowned him. Unable to find adequate foster parents, Kevin instead chose to live with friends until he was 18, opting to live with people he knew he could count on. At times, Kevin even lived by himself in a tent, in an amazing display of self-reliance. Even more amazing, despite suffering from a learning disability, Kevin even graduated from Shelby High School. So when he was 18, he was handed a diploma, his social security card, and his driver's license, and then he was truly on his own, once again. It didn't take long for Kevin to find a new "family" however. He became a "Carnie," and traveled around the country running amusement rides, including at his favorite place, The Pike in Long Beach, California. He loved the life and freedom of a Carnie, being on his own, seeing different places, and most of all, helping children enjoy things he never did as a child. Kevin was a big teddy bear at heart, and loved children, and seeing their smiling faces brought him great happiness. Kevin eventually returned to West Michigan. Yet he often returned to the Carnie life, the desire for freedom too much for him to ignore. He also often ran the rides at the Muskegon Summer Celebration. When Kevin's first marriage ended in divorce, he found a home with his "brother" and "mother," Greg Gardner and his mom, Jackie Gardner, who lived in Spring Lake. He began working with Greg doing auto detailing, yet he longed to be out on his own, not in some shop somewhere. So he said farewell to Greg's shop, and went to work as a trucker -- a job perfect for him, nothing but him and the open road, music on the radio and the hum of the wheels on the pavement beneath. For the past 2 years he worked for D Trucking, a firm that was so good to him often letting him know how much they appreciated him, or taking him out to lunch. While Kevin enjoyed staying with the Gardner family, he longed for a famiy of his own, and he found one. One November evening in 1998, Kevin was out at the Rush Street Bar in Muskegon, when he spotted a cute girl named Cheryl Miller sitting with some friends. Well, Cheryl had been noticing him, too, but was nervous to talk to him. Her friend said that if Cheryl wasn't going to meet him, then she would and went over to say hello. All Kevin had to say was, "Who's your friend?" and that was it. Cheryl and Kevin were together ever since. Cheryl loved Kevin because he was just a big teddy bear at heart, and just a big, fun-loving kid. And he loved Cheryl for giving him what he never truly had in life, someone who loved him unconditionally and supported him. He loved her just as much, as well as her children she brought to the relationship. When her pregnancy became difficult, requiring her to have bed rest, he was there to support her. They hadn't known each other long, and the baby wasn't his, but he didn't care. He loved her and her baby, Dakota, unconditionally. They were married on June 5, 2000 in Grand Haven. When Dakota was born, it made Kevin so happy, and he treated the boy as his own. He could never deny the boy anything, especially when he looked up at Kevin with those "puppy dog eyes." If Kevin had $50 left in his pocket, he'd spend it all on Dakota. Kevin was the same with Cheryl's other two boys, Michael and Collin, and showered each of them with affection. Kevin was never shy about letting you know how he felt about you, and affirmations were so important to him. He'd ask Cheryl all the time, "Are you proud of me?" Kevin needed someone who accepted him for who he was, respected him, and most of all, love him. And Cheryl certainly did. Even though Kevin was often gone on the road for long stretches at a time, making it difficult on the family, they had such a loving marriage. He'd often call her from the road, just to tell her he loved her. She took care of the kids, and the bills, things he was never good at, yet she always knew Kevin would be back and that he loved her. Kevin loved many things, though. He loved fishing, especially the Muskegon Channel or the Willows in Spring Lake, and always made a big show of it. He got depressed in the fall, when the season was almost over, and couldn't wait for spring to roll around so he could get back out there. He also loved to watch fishing on TV, or the Food Network. He was a big kid, after all, and loved to eat. Cheryl even kidded Kevin that Food Network host Rachel Ray was his girlfriend! He also loved NASCAR, and attended as many of the races at Michigan International Speedway, in Brooklyn, as he could. He loved them for the excitement, cheering on his favorite racer, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and for the fun times he had there. Sadly, Kevin died in a trucking accident on Thursday, June 29, 2006. He lived an often difficult life, a life that gave him a love of personal freedom and gave him an uncommon self-reliance. Kevin was a devoted husband, and a proud and loving father, yet most of all, he taught us to believe in ourselves, and in the people that love us, just as he did. He will be greatly missed. WHELPLEY, MR. KEVIN J. Muskegon Mr. Kevin J. Whelpley, age 38, died unexpectedly on Thursday, June 29, 2006 as a result of a traffic accident. He was born in Kalamzoo, MI on February 5, 1968. He married the former Cheryl Miller on June 5, 2000. SURVIVORS Wife, Cheryl Whelpley; 3 sons, Michael Shira, Collin Shira, and Dakota Shira, all at home; father-in-law, Andrew Miller of Muskegon; 3 sisters-in-law, Carol Welch, Marcella Miller, and Roberta Dale, all of Muskegon; 1 brother, Greg Gardener of Spring Lake; 1 brother-in-law, Raymond Miller of Las Vegas, NV; special friend, Jackie Gardner of Spring Lake; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his niece, Sabrena Welch and mother-in-law, Joyce Miller. SERVICE Wednesday, July 5, 2006, 1:00 PM, at Clock Funeral Home.