Phipps, Gerald E. 1918-1987

PHIPPS, BLYTHE, MORRIS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/25/2010 at 09:23:32

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; March 5, 1987

RITES HELD FOR GERALD PHIPPS

Gerald E. Phipps, 69, of 1424 Third Ave., a longtime member of the Grinnell Police Department, died of a heart ailment Monday, March 2, at Grinnell General Hospital.

Funeral services were conducted at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. John Epperson, pastor of the Grinnell Christian Church, officiating. Organist was Barbara Lien.

Pallbearers were Larry Wray, Charles Stepanek Jr., Darwin Stepanek, Rick Stepanek, Kevin Stepanek and Ron Stepanek. Honorary bearers were Jim Ahrens, Jim Ent, Fred Grandstaff, Darrel Lamb, Bill Peters, Doug Shutts and Bob Thompson. Burial was in Rock Creek Cemetery.

The son of George and Josephine Blythe Phipps, he was born on Feb. 18, 1918, in Grinnell. He graduated from Grinnell High School in 1937.

He worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps in Lost Corner, Ark., and later served in the U.S. Navy. During World War II he was employed at the Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill. In 1946 he began his career with the Grinnell Police Department, retiring as a sergeant in 1979. He was a member of the National and State Police Associations, a charter member of the Eagles Lodge in Grinnell, and had served on the Civil Service Board.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Morris Phipps; his children, Joe of Grinnell and Arlene of Iowa City; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Ruth Arline who died in infancy.