Seipel begins 100th birthday exercising freedoms he defended in World War II
November 3, 2026, was declared Hubert J. Seipel Day in the city of Maryville with City Council member Dannen Merrill presenting Seipel the proclamation on Tuesday during the family’s celebration at A&G Restaurant.
MARYVILLE, Mo. — For Hubert Seipel, Tuesday could not have begun much better.
It was the World War II veteran’s 100th birthday, but he began the day with his youngest son, Doug Seipel, informing him of the birth of Rowyn, his 12th great-grandchild.
“She was expecting it, but I didn’t expect it to be on my birthday,” Hubert smiled.
Seipel’s birthday continued from there with a trip to go vote — one of the rights Seipel and so many others risked their lives for in World War II.
“I voted,” Seipel said. “I was just wishing it was presidential. Once in a while over the years, it has been.”
Hubert Seipel fills out his ballot on his 100th birthday, Tuesday, Nov. 3, in Maryville.
The veteran remembers fondly returning home after the war and the first presidential election he participated in and casting his ballot for Harry Truman in 1948 — he was in the Pacific during the first election he was eligible to vote in 1944.
“I think I got to vote for Truman and then I remember definitely voting for Eisenhower,” Seipel said.
The Seipels made their way to vote on Tuesday, and then headed to A&G Restaurant to celebrate with friends and family. While there, Seipel was presented a proclamation from the city in celebration of his birthday. City Council member Dannen Merrill read the proclamation.
The official document signed by Mayor John McBride declared Nov. 3, 2026, Hubert J. Seipel Day in Maryville. Seipel also received a letter of blessing from Pope Leo XIV in celebration of his 100th birthday.
“Quite a fuss,” Seipel said, downplaying his milestone.
On Sunday, Seipel was joined by family and friends for a celebration of his birthday at the Maryville Elks Lodge. Among the friends in attendence were the families of those Seipel worked with during his career at the Maryville Packing Company.
Friends and family celebrate with Seipel on Sunday at the Elks Lodge.
“Family and friends all got together, it was amazing how big of a crowd we had,” Seipel said. “I was very pleased. Everything was very nice. … Seeing a lot of friends that I haven’t seen in a while. Some of them are away from here, but even some local because I don’t get around much anymore. A lot of people who used to work with me and that I remember from the old packing house days. ”
Seipel enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He served during World War II as a fireman in one of the boiler rooms aboard the USS Lexington — which was nicknamed the “Blue Ghost” after the Japanese had declared the aircraft carrier sunk four times, but she kept returning to action.
This summer, Seipel traveled to France on the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.
Seipel has spent a majority of his 100 years living in Maryville. He says he would not change a thing about that.
“The overall growth as a town has been spectacular,” Seipel said. “It has been a steady growth. As I’ve always said, this is a hell of a nice place to live. You feel safe with good friends. You walk down the street and you don’t know everyone, but everyone speaks with each other. It is a good, friendly atmosphere.”
Doug Seipel presents his father with his letter from Pope Leo XIV in recognition of his 100th birthday.
