Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Walter McWhirter


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features Walter McWhirter and his immediate family.



First Generation
1. Walter McWhirter,1 born ca. 1915 in Lincoln County, Michigan, the son of J. A. McWhirter and Mary Caldwell. Walter married, 12 November 1938 in Bangor, Van Buren County, Michigan, LaRue I. Zakarias (née Crippin) 2 (born 18 December 1917 in McDonald, Van Buren County, Michigan, the daughter of Ralph Crippin and Monteese Alice Holly;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 LaRue died 6 October 1990 in Bloomingdale, Van Buren County, Michigan3).

Larue’s mother died when she was only a year or two old. Larue was “adopted” (possibly not legally) and raised by her aunt and uncle, Robert and Arabelle (née Thompson) Crippin. Larue’s children regarded Robert and Arabelle as grandparents.9


  1. Indiana Marriages, 1811-2018/2019, [three separate entries:] John Zakarias, born: 9 January 1916 in Chicago, Illinois; father: John Zakarias; mother: Rebecca Jacobs; La Rue Crippin, born: 18 December 1917 in McDonald, Michigan; father: Robert Le Roy Crippin; mother: Arabelle Welker [sic, these are her uncle and aunt with whom she was raised after her mother died]; married on 11 January 1935 in St. Joseph, Indiana.
  2. Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1940, Marriage License No. 13004 and Marriage Certificate, Van Buren County, Michigan. Walter McWhirter, age 23, born in Lincoln County, Tennessee, father: J. A. McWhirter; mother: Mary Caldwell; previously married one time; LaRue Zakarias, age 20, born in McDonald, Michigan, father: Ralph Crippen; mother: Moneteese Holly; previously married once; maiden name: LaRue Crippin; married on 12 November 1938 in Bangor, Van Buren County, Michigan.
  3. Michigan Deaths, 1971-1996; Larue I. Zakarias, died: 6 October 1990 in Bloomingdale, Van Buren County, Michigan; born: 18 December 1917.
  4. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Social Security Applications, Larue I. Zakarias, born: 18 December 1917 in McDonald, Van [Buren County], Michigan; other name: Larue Z. Roung; father: Ralph Crippin; mother: Monteese Holly.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Michigan, Van Buren County, Bangor Township, E.D. 180, Sheet No. 6A, Robert L. Crippin, 35, Michigan, farmer, home farm; wife Arabelle Crippin, 34, Michigan; daughter LaRue I. Crippin, 4, Michigan [LaRue is actually the daughter of Robert’s brother Ralph Crippin].
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Michigan, Van Buren County, Bangor Township, E.D. 80-7, Sheet No. 5A, Robert Criffen [sic, Crippin], 46, Michigan, first married age 25, farmer, general farm; wife Arabelle Criffen, 45, Michigan, first married age 24; daughter LaRue Criffen, 12, Michigan [LaRue is the daughter of Robert’s brother Ralph]; laborer Cassie Cook, 46, Michigan, divorced, laborer, farm.
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Michigan, Van Buren County, Arlington Township, E.D. 5, Sheet No. 4A, Thomas Kirnsey, 40, Kentucky, farmer, own farm; wife Gaynell Kirnsey, 36, Kentucky; daughter Virginia Kirnsey, 15, Illinois; lodger La Rue McWhirter, 22, Michigan; lodgers son John Zakarias, 4, Michigan.
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Michigan, Van Buren County, Bangor, E.D. 80-16, Sheet No. 75, Walter A. Roung, 54, Illinois, oil operator & producer, oil business; wife Larue I. Roung, 32, Michigan, T-V coil tester, coil factory; step-son John R. Zakarias, 14, Michigan; step-son Eugene F. Zakarias, 12, Michigan.
  9. Michigan Obituaries, 1820-2006, Muriel Link Collection, Obituary dated 16 February 1939, Mrs. Arabelle Crippen, died Wednesday 15 February 1939. The article provides the names of her husband, parents, two brothers, and “an adopted daughter, Mrs. Larue McWhirter, of Bangor.”