He was born July 10, 1999, in Janesville, the son of Scott Weberpal and Casey Barclay. Ethan attended school in Janesville, Whitewater, and Almont, MI, where he was a graduate of Almont High School, Class of 2017. Ethan enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in July 2016 in the delayed entry program and entered into boot camp in July 2017. After graduating in October, he was assigned to Camp Pendleton for Infantry Training.
Ethan was an amazing young man, compassionate and genuine to the core. The values instilled in him through the Marine Corps and his faith in God showed in his everyday life. Ethan enjoyed hunting, fishing, airsoft, spending time with family and friends, playing practical jokes, being a big brother and cousin, and living life to its fullest. He participated in many school activities throughout his life including football, baseball, basketball, track & field, cross country, show choir, a cappella choir, and band.
Ethan will be remembered for his bright and witty sense of humor; his desire to surprise people with a little startle any time he could, and his love of God, his family, and his friends. There is no way to properly express the kind of person Ethan was. The words will always seem inadequate for the legacy he leaves behind.
While in Almont with his grandparents, Ethan became very involved with his church and the We Are One youth group at Gateway Assembly in Imlay City. Ethan chose to embrace the truth of Jesus Christ. His faith wasn’t just lip service; he lived it. Ethan was an outstanding young man who was constantly looking for an opportunity to help others. He was fond of taking the time to sit and talk with someone down on their luck. He used those opportunities to share his faith and bring others closer to Christ. Only now are these stories becoming public as Ethan kept them mostly secret. He made a much larger impact than the short time he was given would have seemed to allow.
Ethan spent the last few months in California, making memories, and enjoying life. Many of those memories were shared with two great friends, PFC Robert Zimmers and PFC Rhett Glubka. The family would like to extend a special thank you to his Marine brothers who attempted to render aid and were by his side until he was accepted into the loving arms of God.
He is survived by his Mom, Casey (fiancé, Mike Knueppel) Barclay, of Janesville; his Dad, Scott (Bethany Schmidt) Weberpal, of Whitewater, WI; his 4 siblings – Logan, Dylan, Abigail, and Alexander; his maternal grandparents, Lewis and Lisa Barclay, of Almont, MI; his paternal grandmother, Debra Weberpal, of Whitewater, WI; his paternal grandfather, Andrew (Carol) Weberpal, of Janesville; his maternal great-grandparents, Harold and Betty Barclay, and Linda Witsman; his paternal great-grandfather, Ralph Weberpal; his aunts, SSGT Danielle Barclay (USAF), Amber (Brad) Allen, and Annie (Dan) LaValley; his cousins, Lucy and Griffin; and by many other extended family and friends. Ethan was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandfather, Errol Witsman, his paternal great-grandmother, Dorothea Weberpal, and his paternal great-grandparents, John and Patty Griffin.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, January 29, 2018, at NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY OF GOD, 2416 N. Wright Rd. Janesville, WI, with Pastor Dave Krist officiating. Burial with Full Military Honors will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Milton. Visitation will take place from 2:00 until 6:00 P.M. on Sunday at the WHITCOMB-LYNCH FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES.
A scholarship fund to support veteran/military students at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has been established in Ethan’s memory. Gifts may be made by check to the “Ethan Andrew Barclay-Weberpal Memorial Fund” and mailed to UW-W Foundation, 800 West Main Street, Whitewater WI 53190, or online to the fund at https://www.uww.edu/foundation/give/form
