Jesse J. Pipkin, 78, of Rockford, IL, passed away Thursday October 15, 2020 at St. Anthony Hospital. He was born June 2, 1942, the son of Chester and Rhudell (McCollough) Pipkin. He grew up in Arkansas where he picked cotton as a child and learned how to drive a tractor at 14. Jesse proudly served his country in the United States Marines. Jesse married Diane Elmer on April 11, 1992 in Stockton, IL. He worked as a machine mechanic at Greenlee for 10 years and at Atwood for 32 years. Jesse attended Windsor Baptist Church. He was involved with the Blackhawk Field Archers. Jesse was an avid hunter and a hardworking man.
Jesse is survived by his wife, Diane; children, Penny (Lou) Houlmarde, and Mark Pipkin; step-children, Christine (Joe) Walters, Vern (Cindy) Borah, Nadine Borah, and Butch (Amanda) Elmer, 7 granddaughters, Nicole, Kimber, Lindsey, Brea, Dani, Luna and Ivy; 3 great-grandsons, Alijah, Aubrey, and Morgan; brothers, Donald and Ronald (Enoak) Pipkin; brother-in-law, Jim Calabrese; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings, Mavis, Katherine, Carolyn, and Horace.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at Windsor Baptist Church, 1115 Windsor Rd, Loves Park, IL 61111. A walk through visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m., until the time of service. Entombment in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to Windsor Baptist Church.
