Harlan was born in Mason, Michigan on August 10, 1936, to the late Russel Whipple and Dorothy (Whipple) Howe. On December 4, 1957, Harlan married Ruth Ann (Anderson) Whipple and shared 62 years of marital bliss. Harlan was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Harlan is survived by his daughter, Jo Lynn Drumm; daughter, Leigh Ann Whipple; son, Tod (Amy) Whipple; daughter-in-law, Carol Whipple; and his brother, Dennis (Sharon) Whipple of Mason.
Harlan has had many different names over his 87 years by many different people, however, the names he cherished the most are that of “gramps, Papa Harlan, and grandpa Whipple” to name a few. Harlan is survived by grandchildren Jason (Crystal Ellsworth) Drumm, Jeremy (Ashlee) Drumm, Danielle (Steve Bendele) Drumm, Brandon (Bobbie Jo) Whipple, Craig Whipple, Chelsea Warner, and Emma Whipple and great-grandchildren Nova, Shilo, & Mia Drumm, Jazmin & Landyn Loveless, Sawyer & Maverick Drumm, Leyah Johnson, Brantley Jacobs, & Layla Bendele, Riley & Aiden Whipple and Weston Warner.
Harlan is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Ann, in February 2020; son, Timothy in July 2016; both of his parents; and stepfather, Ronald Howe.
Visitation for Harlan will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 621 South Jefferson St., Mason, MI 48854. A memorial celebration in honor of Harlan will be at the Ingham County Fairgrounds Community Center on Friday December 15, 2023, with a short memorial beginning at 5:00 PM followed by a Celebration of Life at 6:00 PM with food and beverages provided, 700 E Ash St., Mason, MI 48854.
Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Harlan Whipple to Compassus - Hospice, 801 S Waverly Rd., Suite 200, Lansing, MI 48917.
A special thank you to Missy and Carilynn from Compassus - Hospice. Thank you to the both of you for caring so deeply and for expressing love, compassion, and support while taking care of our dad while he was at home.
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Compassus - Hospice801 S Waverly Rd., Suite 200, Lansing, Michigan 48917
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