Paul H. Tippy

Paul H. Tippy, 94, died April 27, 2011 in Marion, IL, surrounded by his family. He was born in Marion, August 8, 1916 to Clara Dillow and Floyd Tippy. He was preceded in death by brother Floyd Jr., step-brother Tom Charleton, and step-sister Floss Trobaugh.

Paul grew up in Carbondale but spent his summers with his grandmother Williams near Belle Smith Springs, Pope County. In the 1930’s, Paul worked as a forest service clerk in the Civilian Conservation Corps camps at Eddyville and Pomona. He served in the Army Quartermaster Corps in Wyoming and Alaska during World War II. He was a graduate of SIU, earning a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Masters degree in Education. He was employed as a high school teacher when he met his wife, Imogene Thread in Bone Gap. They were married May 25, 1948 at the West Village Christian Church. After teaching in several other communities in southern Illinois, they made their home in Champaign, Illinois but traveled in the summers throughout the country and raised their three sons. Paul became Director of Continuing Education at the University of Illinois, from which he retired. His retirement home was a farm near Albion where he enjoyed gardening, raising cattle, fishing, reading, and traveling with his sons and their families. After his wife, Imogene died in 1983; Paul lived in Albion, lovingly cared for by his sons, particularly Jerry who lives in the ancestral Thread home across the pasture. He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Albion.

Paul has three sons who survive him: Roger (Penny) of West Frankfort, Jerry (Arlene) of Albion, and David (Kay) of Pomona. Also surviving are ten grandchildren who dearly loved their grandpa; Meghan (Blake Reese), Bryan Tippy (Stephanie), Gabe Tippy, Daniel Tippy, Collete Tippy, Jason Tippy, Eve Tucker, Whitney Tucker, Elsa Tippy, and Mason Tippy. A new great-grandchild, Breanna Reese, was a delight to Paul.

Funeral services for Paul H. Tippy will be held Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 11:30 AM at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Albion, with burial to follow in Graceland Cemetery. Friends may call from 10:00 AM to service time at the church.

Memorials may be made to the Edwards County Senior Citizens Center or St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Ingram Funeral Home of Albion is in charge of all arrangements.