Melvin T. Phipps

Melvin Thomas (Tom) Phipps, Preemption, IL, passed away November 24, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born December 28, 1936, in Custer County, Oklahoma, to Mel and Mattie Phipps. He was born at his Maternal Grandparents’home, with no doctor present.

Tom moved to Illinois when he was just four years old. He attended McKinley School (Watertown), Hoffman School & United Township High School, all in East Moline. Whileattending United Township, he met the love of his life, Betty Roman. They married on August 31, 1955.

He worked for Wareco Oil, John Deere Malleable, International Harvester and eventually Chicago Rock Island Railroad. He became the District Storekeeper with the Rock Island Railroad in Silvis, IL. In 1972 he was the Local Storekeeper in Des Moines, IA until 1974. He continued his employment with the Rock Island Railroad devoting 24 years of service to them until they filed bankruptcy. During his early employment at the railroad, he worked nights, so during the day, he worked for several contractors, and drove school buses for ARC, Silvis School District and Reynolds Bus Company.

In 1977, Tom and his wife Betty, founded the daycare “It’s A Child’s World” in Silvis, IL. In 1985 they purchased a second location in Rock Island, IL. During this time, Tom became the Building Inspector and Zoning Officer for the City of Silvis, IL and retired after seven years of employment. He served as the Chairman of the Rock Island County Zoning Board of Appeals for several years.

Tom also served on the Silvis Park Board and was instrumental in developing Silvis Heights Park, establishing the Silvis Garden Club, building the McGehee Center at Schadt Park and renovating the Silvis Railroad Caboose, along with many other initiatives.

One of Tom’s proudest achievements was the development of the Phipps Prairie Park in Silvis, IL, located off Avenue of the Cities & 12th Street. The park is a beautiful natural area with nature trails, native and indigenous wildflowers. After a poll of the citizens of Illinois, they voted to name the park “Phipps Prairie Park.”

Tom was a little league coach and Indian Guide Member. He was a Belgium Pigeon Racing Club member, a member of the Silvis Garden Club, the Quad Cities Audubon Society and Quad City Woodturners. Tom recently became a Master Naturalist through the University of Illinois Extension Office.

He loved woodworking, gardening, hunting, fishing, bird watching and playing cards. But, most of all he loved his family.

He is survived by his daughter Teri (Wayne) Mitchell, his Son, Dale Phipps (Tommie Shadden) and daughter Tamara (Mark) Parkinson, 7 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and blessed by a few great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Betty (Roman) Phipps, Son-In-Law, Jeff Caldwell, Sister Patsy Joe (Phipps) Webb, Bother-In-Law, Jim Webb and his parents Melvin & Mattie Phipps.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Silver Cross Friendship Manor, Rock Island, for their compassionate and loving care.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held in the Spring at Phipps Prairie Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Silvis Parks and Recreation Board.