Clarence E. Whetstone

Clarence E. Whetstone, Jr., known as Arch or Archie to his friends, 94, of Egolf Road, Bedford, PA, graduated to his heavenly life with his Lord Jesus on Saturday, November 2, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife Eileen Mae (Shippey) Whetstone in 2019. They had two children, Kevan Dale Whetstone of Dry Ridge, PA, and Deena Kay (Whetstone) Bischof of Bedford, PA. They have one grandchild, and three great grandchildren.

Clarence was born to the Rev. Clarence E. Whetstone, Sr. and Helen Ray (Koontz) Whetstone on March 25, 1930. He had one blood brother, the Rev. Dr. Ross E. Whetstone, who preceded him in death in 2012.

Clarence graduated from Bedford High School in 1948, where his major interest was in music, both band (trombone) and chorus. He attended Houghton College, Franklin and Marshall University, Mansfield University where he completed his bachelor's degree in English. There he was elected into Kappa Delta Phi, the honors society in education. He and his brother Ross were inducted into the National Honor Society at the same ceremony. From there he attended Drew University School of Theology, the Pennsylvania State University School of Clinical Speech where he completed his master's degree and achieved National Certification as a Speech/Language Pathologist. Later he was a Graduate Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh for advanced studies in Administration of Special Education Programs. Across nine and a half years of higher education he completed over thirty hours each in English, Theology, Psychology and Speech/Language Pathology.

Clarence first taught secondary English at Sonestown, PA, then at Claysburg/Kimmel High School at Claysburg, PA. He then began studies in Speech/Language Pathology and functioned as a Speech Therapist in Blair County, PA., moving to Bedford County after two years, where he established the Speech Therapy program in the then thirty-nine buildings of the Bedford County Schools. He retired from the Intermediate Unit 8 in 1992. Immediately he began working as Speech Therapist for visiting nurse associations. He worked at the Cumberland Nursing Home, Donahoe Nursing Home in Bedford, PA, then back to Community Nursing, Home Nursing Agency, finally retiring after fifty-seven years, at the age of eighty-eight.

In 2015 Clarence was awarded the ACES Award (Achievement for Competence and Excellence in Service) from UPMC. This is rarely given and highly valued. It is awarded to less than 1 in 1000 professional employees of UPMC. It is one of Clarence's most prized recognitions for his service as a Speech/Language Pathologist.

After Eileen's passing, Clarence was led by the Lord to become a substitute teacher of English (again) in the Foundations Christian Academy in Snake Spring Township for one year.

During the same years Clarence was at Mansfield University he functioned as a Student Pastor for three little Methodist Churches, having been awarded the License to Preach in 1951. Later, having left the track for ordained ministry, he continued to function in many levels of leadership in the churches where he was worshipping. He always taught Sunday School, writing his own material for the last forty plus years. This writing eventually led to his publishing Help Me Understand the Bible and writing The Glorious Jesus: Jesus in Revelation and What's So New About the New Testament, not yet published. He was privileged to be lay preacher in many churches.

A major joy for Clarence was music. He sang in the Bedford United Methodist Chancel Choir. A special joy was being invited to join the gospel band Heaven Bound. He sang baritone and played his trombone in churches and senior centers across a ninety-mile radius from Bedford.

Another interest for him was the visual arts. He always was a drawer/painter. The camera club in Bedford High School started him in darkroom photography. Thereafter he always had a camera in hand and produced stacks of display pictures. He was yearbook photographer at Houghton College and Sonestown High School. For nine years he led the Bedford Area Camera Club. In semi-retirement he took art lessons from Jill Bailey and produced numerous pastel and oil paintings. His work was frequently displayed in the Bedford County Arts Center at the Anderson House, Bedford, PA.

Clarence's life was full and joyous. His marriage to Eileen for sixty-seven years was an extraordinary blessing. They were seldom seen separately. His commitment to God grew as he aged. Now he has gone from this life to eternal joy with his Lord and Savior Jesus.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM at Geisel-Styer Funeral Homes, Bedford. A viewing will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 10-11 AM at Bedford United Methodist Church, Bedford.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 11 AM at Bedford United Methodist Church, Bedford, with Pastor Robert Marsh officiating.

Interment will be held at Dry Ridge Cemetery, Manns Choice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Clarence E. Whetstone Jr; Tunnel to Towers Foundation: 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY. 10306; Friends of Hope Africa University: PO BOX 580, Spring Arbor, MI. 49283; Freedom House Ministries: 790 Echo Vale Dr. Bedford, PA. 15522.

Online condolences may be expressed at http://www.geiselfuneral.com/. Arrangements entrusted to Geisel-Styer Funeral Homes, Bedford, Pennsylvania.