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Rolland Tipsword Obituary
TAYLORVILLE - Retired judge and former state Rep. Rolland F. Tipsword, 81, of Taylorville died Thursday, April 5, 2007, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Taylorville.
He was born Aug. 19, 1925, in Monticello, the son of Leo Clemit and Jossie Banning Fortner Tipsword. He graduated from Beecher City Community Unit High School in 1943. Mr. Tipsword graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Idaho in 1949 where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He graduated with honors from Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago in 1951. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in September 1951. He served in the U.S. Navy, Pacific theater, during the years of 1942-1946.
Mr. Tipsword served as clerk to Illinois Supreme Court Justice Harry Hershey from the years 1951-1954 and 1957-1960 and, later, became an associate partner in the Hershey & Bliss Law Firm. He served as Christian County state's attorney during the years of 1960-1966. Mr. Tipsword was a partner in the Tipsword & Fraley Law Firm and which later became the Coale, Taylor, Tipsword, Fraley & Doyle Law Firm of Taylorville.
Mr. Tipsword was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, serving districts 50 and 51, during the years of 1966-1979. He served as circuit judge, 4th Judicial District of Illinois from 1983 to 1993. Mr. Tipsword served on the Illinois Supreme Court Committee to Prepare First Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions, and was elected as a delegate to the 1980 Democratic Convention. He was past president of the Christian County Illinois Bar Association.
Judge Tipsword was extremely active in the Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star of Illinois and the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Illinois. He received the Meritorious Service Award in 1975 and the 33rd Degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in 1977. He also served as worthy grand patron of the Order of the Eastern Star in 1970. He was a member of the Haslemere Chapter 221, in Taylorville, and a member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem in Springfield.
Rolland was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as a past deacon and elder. He also held membership in the Taylorville Elks Club, Taylorville Eagles Club, Taylorville Moose Club, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a charter member of the Taylorville Kiwanis Club.
Mr. Tipsword never married. He is survived by many cousins and friends.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 10, 2007, from 4-8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 116 E. Franklin St., Taylorville. Masonic Rites and the Eastern Star Rites will be conducted at the visitation. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2007, at the First Presbyterian Church, 116 E. Franklin St. The Rev. Bob Spurgin will be officiating for the services. Burial will be in the Morrisonville Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by the VFW and the American Legion. Shafer Funeral Home LTD, 202 W. Franklin St., Taylorville, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Taylorville or the Shriner's Hospital.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rolland Tipsword
Michael Hickey
April 25, 2007
Tip,
The shock of your passing still lingers with me every day. You were always so full of life that it is hard to believe or accept that you are gone. You are and always will be one of my dearest and most trusted friends as you were someone with whom I could share my innermost secrets, thoughts and dreams. I often think of the precious times we spent together and thank God for touching my life with the gift of YOU. I am so sad, but know in my heart that you are seated at the right hand of the Father, and that he is smiling on you for all of eternity. Goodbye for now dear friend, I love you.
-Mike
Nancy Fritzsche-Ortciger
April 12, 2007
I was so sorry to hear of Judge Tipsword's passing. He was a good friend to many people. I know he has joined the angels choir and they will be delighted, as we on earth were, to hear his beautiful voice.
Barbara Carol Buzzard-Bell
April 11, 2007
My sympathy to Roland's family and friends. He was my "neighbor boy" in Beecher City, IL and might I say one of those local boys that "made good". He never forgot friends old and new and always a friendly smile for everyone. At the all school reunions in Beecher City he led everyone in the singing of the loyalty song accompanied by Irene Perkins on the piano--now both gone. What a wonderful man and even after becoming a judge he never forgot from where he came. Remembered always with respect and affection.
Barbara Carol Buzzard-Bell
Mary Lee Oliver
April 9, 2007
Mr. Tipsword was such a good friend to Mother (Dora Lee Huffman) and was also her Attorney.
John & Cheryl Warren
April 9, 2007
As I go through my second term as Worthy Patron of Flower City Chapter 152, I look back at one of the truly great men that I have met in my life and must count Rolland as one of them. He mesmerized me with his singing and with his wit. I will never forget the times we had in the 22nd Degree and his rendition of "Brown October Ale". He was a Brother, but more important, he was my friend. Both my wife and I extend our sincere sympathy to his family and hope you all know how much this treasure will be missed.
Nelda Sims-Auvil
April 8, 2007
Rolland Tipsword was our mother's first cousin, i.e. Vada Goff Sims. We have always been proud of Rolland and his many accomplishments. Our prayers are with you, Rolland, may God watch over you.
Nelda Sims Auvil, Cousin
Billy Roy Sims, Cousin
Raymond Reed
April 7, 2007
Good Bye Old Friend
Howard E. Carr
April 7, 2007
A great person.
Flower City Chapter # 152
April 7, 2007
Wow, sorry to hear of Mr. Tipswords passing. I met him a few times and he was always so nice.
CMLuczak
Jeffery Tipsword
April 7, 2007
This morning I was saddened to learn that Rolland had passed on. I have fond memories of visiting Rolland when he was back home at Aunt Joss and Uncle Leo's place when I was a child growing up in Altamont. He always seemed to have time for us kids. He was interested in what we had to say and what ever we were doing. After we moved to Springfield, I always wanted to stop in Taylorville to see him on our trips to Altamont...which I continued to do as an adult even after I moved to Florida. He was a member of my extended family which I was very fond of and I made it a point for my wife and children to visit him whenever we were in Illinois. Rolland will be missed but not forgotten.
Virginia Valente
April 7, 2007
I lived with his Aunt in Sorento Ill when I was in High School and
I was a Worthy Matron of Cicero Chapter #741, in Illinois in 1962 when Rolland was also a Worthy Patron of his Chapter. I will always remember his beautiful voice and his great personality. We corresponded by e-mail. I am now Worthy Matron of Stars of Paradise Chapter #56 OES in Phoenix, Az.
Keith Parks
April 7, 2007
Dear Brother Rolland,
I was suspect something wasn't right when your emails went unanswered. You were a great cousin and friend. It's ashame we only met face to face a few years ago. I trust that I speak for all the D.M. "Pap" Tipsword family, past and present, when I state that the family was proud of you, respected you, your achievements, your representation of our family and the Democratic party. God Bless You. He knows you were a good man.
Brother Keith Parks and Sandra
Wilda kerney
April 7, 2007
Rolland, you will be missed by so many people. You touched and inspired the lives of young and old. Your work both in the judicial system and with Masonic organizations will surely be missed. Thank you for touching the hearts of all of us.
David & Nanette Sorrell
April 7, 2007
We knew Mr. Tipsword as a neighbor in Taylorville back in 1979. You could always count on him for a gentle smile and a wave with how are you doing today. Our condolences to his family. We also shared a few garden secrets across the fence but his tomatoes always were always the best!
Marilyn M. Pellens Randall Mancini
April 7, 2007
I knew Judge Tipsword when he served in the House of Representatives, being one of the members on the House Appropriations II Committee where I was the Committee Clerk. It was my pleasure to have known him. Representative Tipsword will be missed by many who have known him through the years. Please accept my sympathy.
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