Obituary of Edward L. Whetstone

Edward Lawrence Whetstone, age 76, Wisconsin Rapids, died on November 7, 2018 at EdenBrook Nursing Home.

Edward was born October 10, 1942, in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, the son of the late Lawrence "Jack" Whetstone and Lenora "Jo" Tesser Whetstone.

On October 11, 1963, he married Dona Mae Kriewaldt in Urbana, IL. The two lived in Rantoul, IL before moving back to Wisconsin to the Clintonville and Shawano area. The marriage ended in divorce.

Edward attended schools in Nekoosa, WI and in his younger adult years, enjoyed participating in motorcycle hill climbs at Dyracuse Mound, and racing his "Yogi Bear" racecar on the track at the Griffith Park Speedway in Wisconsin Rapids. Edward was one of the founding members of the Backtrackers Rod and Custom Club of Wisconsin Rapids. He also enjoyed hunting.

Edward worked in various places, such as Newport News, VA, Pensacola, FL, and Sahuarita, AZ, doing mechanic work.  He also drove truck for Janesville Transport, among other things. He eventually moved back to the central Wisconsin area, living first in Big Flats and then moving back to the township of Saratoga where he had been born and raised.

His faithful dog, Wookie, was a constant companion.

Edward is survived by two children: Brian Lawrence Whetstone and Theresa Ann (Clifford) Krause, Neenah, WI; six grandchildren: Elizabeth, Tyler, Jordan, Amylia, Aaron and Kassandra, as well as several great-grandchildren; siblings: Rhonda (Joe Olson) Whetstone, Calvin (Anne) Whetstone, Anita Whetstone, Wisconsin Rapids; Timothy Whetstone, MT; Rose Harper, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.  

Edward was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Raye and Esther, PA; and granddaughter Nicole, FL.

Graveside services, open to immediate family and close friends, will be held at 2 P.M., Saturday, November 10, 2018, at Green Hill Cemetery, Nekoosa, overlooking the original family homestead where Ed's great-grandfather settled along the Wisconsin River, as well as the Ten Mile Creek home where Ed lived the first eight years of his life.

Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Whetstone family.  For online condolences, please visit www.taylorfuneralhome.net.