Elbert "Eb" Stewart Whipple

Eb Whipple, 96, long time Mayor of Cheeseville, quietly passed away at home on Saturday, February 1, 2020. He was born to Margaret Ann Miller Whipple and Gilbert Earl Whipple on January 6, 1924 at their home in Greenview. Never wanting to move from his beloved Scott Valley, Eb began work at a young age by helping his brothers cut firewood for the stove at Greenview School and during summers from 7th grade through high school, living and working on dairy farms to help with family bills. A man of many skills and common sense, he always came up with inventive ways of getting a job done. After long work weeks of operating heavy equipment, logging, carpenter work, or building houses, his favorite getaway was on horseback into the mountains. Eb played professional baseball (2nd base, 3rd base, and shortstop) for the Greenview Shamrocks. Not a good runner, he said he had to hit a home run to make it to first base! Eb always said his only regret was not being able to serve his country in WWII as his 3 brothers did. He was told he could not enlist due to a kidney disease and was not expected to live past age 22. However, in 1948 Eb married Elinor Pitts and shared a wonderful life with her until her passing in 2000. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Glen, Gilbert and Hugh and sisters, Barbara Craig and Dorothy Rickey. He is survived by sons Ron (Gail) Whipple, Mike (Debby) Whipple, granddaughters Erin and Kayla, many nieces and nephews and long-time companion Che’usa Wend. Eb bought property in Cheeseville in the mid 1960’s to build his family’s home. It is unclear whether he was really elected or he appointed himself as Mayor of Cheeseville in the late 1970s. The population of Cheeseville hasn’t changed in that many years, still about ten families along ‘Old Cheeseville Road’. In 2004, Eb began searching for the Wyoming resting place of his great-grandfather, James Mims Wilson, who met a tragic death as the wagon master of the Wilson and Walker families while guiding them to California in 1863. It was then Eb discovered that 100 years before he chose Cheeseville for his family’s home, his pioneer family had settled there, and in July 1880 had opened the Pioneer Cheese Factory with W. D. Shelly, which became part of the Cheeseville history. Eb’s family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to all who surrounded him with love and laughter throughout his life, especially in the past 3 years of declining health. Eb will long be remembered for his clear blue eyes and gentle, caring nature. Donations can be made in Eb’s memory to: Madrone Hospice at 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, California, 96097. Eb felt that the past 3 years were the Celebration of his Life, as so many people visited, cooked and helped in so many ways!

Elbert "Eb" Stewart Whipple

January 6, 1924 - February 1, 2020