Arthur John Kelpin

Arthur "Art" John Kelpin, 91, was born on Oct. 27, 1922 in Clawson, MI to Paul William and Elsie Henrietta (Mallig) Kelpin and passed peacefully of congestive heart failure on Feb. 1, 2014, surrounded by family at his home in Payette. At the age of five, the family left Michigan and moved to California for a short time and then on to Payette, ID where he resided for the remainder of his life. He graduated from Payette High School in 1941 where he participated in football, wrestling and track. He served in the Army Air Corp, 20th Air Force, 8th Radio Squadron Mobile, serving in Guam in the South Pacific from January, 1943 until his discharge on Valentine's Day in 1946. In early 1947, he met a pretty nurse at the Payette County Hospital and after a whirlwind courtship married Kathleen "Kay" Woerman, also of Payette, on March 15, 1947, a relationship that lasted 53 years. They were blessed with three children, Don (Carol) Kelpin of Sioux Falls, SD, Linda (Gary) Meeks of Ontario, OR, and Jack (Renee Hamby) Kelpin of Caldwell, ID.
Art worked as a telegraph operator, managed the Bancroft Hotel, cooler foreman for Wells & Davies Meat Packing (Payette), owned and operated the Sinclair Oil Distributorship and ended his career as an office manager of the Chevron Oil Distributorship in Ontario. He was an avid outdoorsman, loving to hunt and fish and active in Scouting for several years. He was a long time member of the Ontario BPOE Elks, a 66 year member of the American Legion serving as a commander, active member of the Payette County Senior Center serving as a president as well as other offices and prided himself in leading their flag salute during luncheons. He was always there to help his sons participate in sporting events, never missing a game along with Kay. He was an avid Boise State Bronco football fan and often watched games with Linda and his son-in-law, Gary. Dad was a loving, gentle man, with an ever-present sense of humor, which displayed itself in many ways. He was a friend to many and a stranger to no one. He made sure he always visited the sick and as his friend described him, "never missed a funeral, birthday or anniversary celebration." The family would like to thank Marie Fisher for the many years of companionship she offered to our Dad and also Ed Zenoniani, his longtime friend and neighbor, who looked after each other after the passing of their wives.
A big thanks to Horizon Home Health and Hospice, especially our angel and Art's granddaughter, Erin Messick, RN, that went above and beyond her official duties to make sure her Grandpa was comfortable and got what he needed. You'll never know what a comfort you were to the family. Art is also survived by three sisters, Marion Cochran, Lucille Bischoff, and Erma Ledington all of Payette; six grandchildren, Robyn, Chad, Marlys, Erin, Christopher, and Chase; 11 great grandchildren, Brandon, Jaeden, Ava, Bryce, Chandler, Krista, Spencer, MeKayla, Dawson, Zoriah, and Jonah. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kay; brother, Russell; and his ever faithful dog, Benson "Bennie". A celebration of his life will be held Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Ontario, OR with internment, along with his wife, Kay, to follow at Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery, Boise, ID at 3:00 p.m. with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The American Legion Post #33 or the Payette Senior Center, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661. We love and already miss you and are proud to call you our Dad.

Service Details.

Service

When: Thursday, February 6th, 2014
Location: Funeral Home
Address: