Robert D. Tipsword

CHARLESTON, IL – Robert Dean Tipsword, age 91 of Charleston, passed away at his home on Tuesday, October 9, 2018.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 12, 2018 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston with Masonic Services to be conducted at 6:45 p.m. by members and guests of Hutton Masonic Lodge #698.  The Funeral Service honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2018 with Pastor Tom Skinner officiating.  Burial will follow in Enon Cemetery located in Ashmore Township southeast of Charleston.  It is requested that donations in his honor be made to a charity of the donor’s preference.  Gifts may be left at the visitation/service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

Bob was born November 10, 1926 in Cumberland County, Illinois, a son of the late Harry C. and Ersa Marie (Tomberlin) Tipsword.  His marriage to Winifred (Winnie) Carpenter on June 5, 1946 was the beginning of a marriage that would last nearly sixty-four years.  Winnie preceded him on August 17, 2010.  Left to cherish his memory are his children, Bonnie Tipsword of Charleston, Robert R. Tipsword and wife (Kyla) of Westfield, Indiana and Vicki Tipsword of St. Petersburg, Florida; six grandchildren, Krista (Dave) Pickering of Mattoon, Illinois, Robert (Stephanie) Trotter of Belleville, Illinois, Scott (Cori) Tipsword of Glendale Heights, Illinois, Amy Tipsword Carson and husband Jimmy of Westfield, Indiana, and Cari and Tari Tipsword, both of St. Petersburg, Florida; 16 great-grandchildren, Conner and Shelby Pickering, Robbie, Landon, and Vivian Trotter, Logan Kuehn, James, Keegan, Gavin and Aidan Carson, Alex Tipsword-Mosman, Rachel, Liam and Grayson Tipsword and  Cameryn and Kaiden Tipsword-DeGrande; and two sisters-in-law, Marietta Tipsword of Noonan, Georgia and Jean Tipsword of Charleston.  Bob was also preceded in death by four brothers, Glenna (Reba) Tipsword, Merle Tipsword, John (Elsie) Tipsword and Ronald Tipsword.

Bob earned his Bachelor and Masters degrees from Eastern Illinois University.  He was a teacher and coach in Lawrencville, Casey, Batavia and Wheeling High Schools in Illinois.  He completed his career as an athletic director at Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, Illinois retiring in 1982 after thirty-four years in education.  At that time he and Winnie returned to Charleston to begin the next chapter of their lives.

Bob was a member of Enon Baptist Church, Hutton Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. #698; Coles County Historical Society, Illinois Retired Teachers Association, Coles County Retired Teachers Association, and the Illinois Athletic Directors Association.  He was a member and past president of the E.I. Club and Bob and Winnie became involved with the EIU Athletic Program as Panther Club Members and were inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2012 in recognition of all their years of support for EIU Women’s Basketball.

Bob enjoyed his life work of teaching, coaching and working with young adults, but as a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, his family was always his priority!