James "Jim" Benton Tipsword

James “Jim” Benton Tipsword, 96, of Beecher City, IL passed away at 10:41 a.m. on Sunday, January 10, 2021 in the Shelbyville Manor in Shelbyville, IL. 

Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Beecher City.  Masonic rites will be performed at 11:00 a.m. by the Greenland Masonic Lodge #665 of Beecher City followed by the funeral service with Pastor Sid Hutchison officiating.  Burial will take place in Moccasin Cemetery in rural Beecher City with military rights performed by the Eva Casstevens American Legion Post 535 of Beecher City.   Memorials may be made in Jim’s name to the Beecher City Veterans Memorial Wall, %First State Bank of Beecher City, %Jim Tipsword, 101 S. Charles Street, Beecher City, IL 62414 or mailed to Lockart-Green Funeral Home, %Jim Tipsword, 302 W. Main St., Shelbyville, IL 62565. 

Jim was born on September 18, 1924, in Moccasin Township, the son of Ralph and Winnie (Patterson) Tipsword.  He served in the United States Navy and was a WWII veteran.  Jim returned home from the service to help with the family farm and work for the Tipsword Lumber Company.  Jim was a life-long farmer in the Beecher City area and served as the Road Commissioner for Moccasin Township for 26 years.  He was a 50-year member of the Greenland Masonic Lodge #665 of Beecher City and a long-standing member of Eva Casstevens American Legion Post 535 of Beecher City.  Jim enjoyed hunting, woodworking and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving is his lovely wife of 37 years, Norma Tipsword of Beecher City; grandchildren:  Georgia Brown of Effingham, Phillip (Donna) Brown Jr. of Mt. Zion, Blane (Carolee) Gordon of Staunton and Jamie Watson of Shelbyville; great-grandchildren:  Hilery Brown, Karissa Hankins, Kaleb Brown, Houstin Brown, Seth McMurray, Claudia Watson, Cade Watson and Chloe Watson; six great-great-grandchildren and brother, Garry Tipsword of Beecher City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; children:  Phillip Brown and Diana (Larry) Gordon; brothers:  Wallace, Clinton, Wayne, Dan and Ray and grandson-in-law, Wesley Watson. 

Family and friends are invited to light a candle or share a story in Jim’s honor at www.lghfuneralhomes.com.

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