Thomas Nathan Tipsword

Thomas

Nathan Tipsword

BROADLANDS - Thomas Nathan Tipsword, 88, of Broadlands, IL passed away at 4:10 am Thursday, July 14, 2011 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

Funeral services will be at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer, IL; Rev. Kathy Murphy will officiate. The burial will be in the St. John's Cemetery in Broadlands. In addition to the visitation held 6-8 pm Tuesday, July 19, there will be a visitation from 10:00 am-12 noon Wednesday (before services) at Kirby Funeral Home.

Mr. Tipsword was born on June 22, 1923 in Detroit, MI. A son of Joseph M. and Ruth Rodgers Tipsword. He married Margaret M. Pask on April 16, 1948 in Champaign, IL. She passed away on December 14, 2005. Survivors include two sons; Thomas (Elsie Wanjohi) Tipsword, DeLand, FL; Steven Tipsword, Broadlands, IL; two daughters; Ruth (Latham) Souther, Auburn, IL; Pamela Tipsword, DeLand, FL. Four grandchildren; John Bryant, Brandy Whetstone, Nikki (Mike) Irlan, Becky (Adam) Locker. Great-grandchildren; Kirsten Whetstone, Dylan Whetstone, Otto Whetstone, Hannah Norris, Abbie Norris and two on the way. He was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother. Mr. Tipsword was a veteran of WWII U.S. Navy Armed Guard, Member of the Broadlands Community Church, and Homer American Legion. He was an educator, in the ABL and Heritage School District for many years. Thomas was an avid Illini, Cubs and Bears fan. He enjoyed his Wednesday "Lunch Bunch" in Champaign and his monthly Thursday group meeting of classmates form Champaign High School. His hobbies included Dancing, Reading, Music and spending time with his family. Memorials may be made to Land of Lincoln Honor Flight (57 Country Place, Springfield, IL 62703) or to the Broadlands Fire Department.