"Father of the Lowell Fair"
Mr. E. L. Phelps, age 89, passed away on Saturday, August 4, 2007. For 89 plus years, E.L. lived and worked the farm on Ritchie Avenue. He worked the farm with his parents and saw farming change from work horses (Doll and Rex) to modern-day farming. He met Wannetah on a blind date, and they continued dating for 3 1Ö2 years until their marriage on March 14, 1942, (they were married for 23,540 days). On the day after his marriage, he received his draft notice and left nine days later to serve during WWII in the US Army. Before E. L. left for overseas, Wannetah and his mother, (with only $100 each, a fare of $86.00 each, which left $14 for each for expenses) made the three-day train ride to Camp Roberts in California. E. L. was injured during WWII and received the Purple Heart. After the war he worked at W.W.W. and continued to farm and then later became a full-time farmer. In 1934 E. L. was involved with the very first 4-H Fair in Lowell and has been a part of that fair for 73 years. His name is very synonymous with the fair and very fitting that he died on August 4, 2007 with the opening of this year’s fair. For 30 years E. L. served as president of the Lowell Fair Board, and on September 30, 2000 the directors honored E. L. with “Father of the Lowell Fair” award. E. L. served on the board of Courtland Township, the Election Committee, the Board of Review, the Farm Home Administration, and the Agriculture Stabilization Conservation Service. He also supported the Future Farmer’s of America in Cedar Springs, was chairman of the Benham School Board. Throughout the community it was a well-known fact that E. L. had a love for Black Angus cattle. When E. L. was working on the land, Wannetah would pack a picnic for E.L. herself and the children, carry a blanket, and meet E. L. in the fields for lunch. E. L. enjoyed people and especially liked to square dance at the Ensley Grange Hall. All his life, E. L. was a true gentleman who devoted himself to his wife, his family, and his community. He is survived by his wife, Wannetah who provided a silent strength and was his life-long friend and caregiver; his sister, Mrs. Ruth Shaw of Rockford; daughter-in-laws, Jan Phelps of Rockford, and Karen and Sal Russo of Grand Rapids; and many special nieces and nephews. E. L. was preceded in death by his son, James Phelps on April 19, 1993, daughter, Susan Kay Phelps on December 23, 2006, grandson, Matthew Phelps on December 27, 1996, and sister, Lola Eldred on March 24, 1998.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider
Kent County Youth Fair, 225 South Hudson, Lowell, MI 49331