John Franklin Whelchel

Mr. John Franklin Whelchel, 87, of Gainesville passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following an extended illness.  John was born in Birmingham, Alabama May 22, 1935 to the late Eugene Morgan Whelchel and the late Mary Lou Caldwell Whelchel.

He was an Eagle Scout, and attended Riverside Military Academy, Gainesville, Georgia graduating in 1953. He participated in Track and Varsity Football and was victorious in all Track meets in the 880, where he still holds the Mid-South 880-yard record. He graduated from the University of Alabama in1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering.  He retired from ACIPCO/American Cast Iron Pipe Company after 56 years, ending his career as a Senior Territory Manager, and stayed in close contact with his colleagues who were like family to him.  He was a member of the Hall County Board of Equalization 2021 until early 2023.  He volunteered as a poll worker for Hall County Elections. 

John was a devoted fan of Alabama Football - ROLL TIDE!  He loved spending time with his family, Traditional Easter Egg hunts, Annual Crab Boil with family and friends, fishing, a good game of canasta, and his love for his Crossfires, attending car rallies with his Crossfire Club Family. 

Mr. Whelchel is survived by his wife Ella Whelchel of Gainesville; children Howard Eugene Whelchel (Jill) of Newnan, GA; Donna Whelchel Ahlrich (JC) of Morganton, NC;  Clark Whelchel (Debbie) of Bethlehem, GA, Marie Swims Allen (Doug) of Gainesville, GA, and Will Swims (Jennifer) of Jasper, GA; grandchildren Sally, Austin, Danny, Morgan, Taylor, Mark, Megan, Madison, Peyton, Marie, and Cole; great-grandchildren Mason, Lucy, Arlo, Levi, Oliver, and Beau; sister Marion Whelchel Loemker of New York; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and loving friends.

John will be dearly missed by those he loved. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Whispering Angels Youth Ranch, 4549 Clarks Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to: Whispering Angels Youth Ranch 4549 Clarks Bridge Rd. Gainesville, GA 30506 www.whisperingangelsyouthranch.org or to: American Heart Association 10 Glenlake Parkway, South Tower, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30328; www.heart.org 

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA 30504, is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com