Charles E. Whelpley, 83, a member of the Forest Park Police Department for 31 years, died May 2, 2022 in Camdenton, Missouri, surrounded by his family.
Mr. Whelpley was born Aug. 6, 1938 in Chicago, the son of Charles Earl and Florence (Hruby) Whelpley. He graduated from Proviso, class of 1957. After graduation, he played football at the University of Miami.
He joined the Forest Park police department in 1963 and served until 1994 when he retired as a lieutenant.
He married his wife Carol in 1964. He has two sons Charles and Christopher and three grandchildren Alexis, Ashley, and Charlie Whelpley.
As a police officer, he was president of the Illinois Police Association, president of the West Suburban Juvenile Association. He also served on the Board of Governors of the International Juvenile Association and was chosen as one of five officers to attend the Police Exchange Program in England with the University of Illinois Police Training Institute.
When he retired from the police department, he went to work for Kemper Insurance Co. as supervisor of the special investigation unit for the United States Midwest Division. In 2000, Charles and his wife Carol retired to the Lake of the Ozarks. While he was here, he served as president on the University of Missouri Extension Board. He served as president on the very first Camden County Sewer District.
Mr. Whelpley’s greatest joy was his family and serving in law enforcement. He and Carol had an amazing life and the family has many happy memories.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, May 20, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. at Hedges-Scott Funeral Home in Camdenton, Missouri. The family will welcome friends for visitation from 4 to 6:30 p.m. prior to services.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.
