Garry W. Tipsword (89) of Beecher City

Garry Winfield Tipsword, 89, of Beecher City, passed away at his home at 5:15 p.m. on Friday, November 24, 2023.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, December 1, 2023 at Moccasin Cemetery, Moccasin, IL. A catered meal will follow the service at the Altamont V.F.W. Post #7676. Memorials may be made to V.F.W. Post #7676, in Garry’s name, where he had been a member. Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Garry was born on Wednesday, January 3, 1934 in Moccasin, IL to Ralph and Winnie (Patterson) Tipsword. He married Lolita June Sparks on November 25, 1955 and she preceded him in death on October 30, 2019. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged. He was a retired educator with the Shelbyville School District #4 and worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville. In addition to the V.F.W. Post #7676, he was a member of the Beecher City American Legion, Masonic Lodge #665, having attained Master Mason, and a member of the Beecher City United Methodist Church.

He is survived by: his son, Tawn Tipsword, Master Chief (Ret) (Tammy) of Deale, MD; daughters, Tana (Jonathan) Tipsword Compton of Orlando, FL and Tena Tipsword Weyer of Bristol, TN; 3 grandchildren, Lacey (Nick) Rudy, Dayna (Jeremy) Chandler, and Casey (Emily) Compton; 5 great grandchildren, Noah Larson, Elias Chandler, Lillian Rudy, Gabriel Rudy and Oliver Compton; and one great-great granddaughter, Lucy June Larson, nephew Kenny (Connie) Tipsword and great-nephew Edwin (Kayla) Tipsword and adopted sons, Johnny Sloan and Wyatt Bower.

Garry was preceded in death by: his parents, wife, brothers; Clinton, Wallace, J.B., Wayne, Dan and Ray Tipsword and grandson, Eric Weyer.

Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.