Dean Tipton

Dean Tipton

Earl "Dean" Tipton of Kirksville and formerly of Queen City, MO passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at Twin Pines Adult Care Center.

The son of William Earl Tipton and Fannie Belinda "Binnie" (Jones) Tipton, Dean was born on December 23, 1920 in Schuyler County near Queen City. On October 15, 1943 in Queen City, he was united in marriage to Irene (Cragg) Tipton and to this union two daughters were born.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Irene in 2006, his brother William Eli Tipton in 2005, sister-in-law Eva Mae Tipton in 2005, and a nephew Gary Tipton in 2005.

Dean is survived by his daughters, Carol Starbuck of Queen City, and Linda Harden and husband Dr. Jeffrey Harden of Kirksville; six grandchildren, Darren Starbuck and wife Julie of Warrensburg, MO, Dr. Melanie (Starbuck) Clemmer and husband Tim of Morgantown, WV, Bradley Starbuck of Rolla, MO, Heather (Harden) Moore and husband Josh of Knob Noster, MO; Dr. Maura (Harden) Gerdes and husband Andrew of Kirksville, MO, and Rebecca Harden of Kirksville, MO; and six great grandchildren, Morgan, Claire, and Hayden Starbuck, Trevor Clemmer, Micah Gerdes, and Liam Moore; two special nieces, Margaret (Schnepf) Carspecken of Fairgrove, MO and Susan (Schnepf) Rodrigues of Las Vegas, Nevada and a son-in-law Max Starbuck of Wildwood, MO.

Dean grew up on the family farm north of Queen City. Following graduation in 1938 from Queen City High School, he began farming with his father. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served during World War II as Ship's Service Man Barber on the USS Niagara until honorably discharged in December, 1945. He was stationed in Oak Harbor, Washington and later in SanPedro, California. Following service to his country, Dean received the Victory Medal, American Area Ribbon, and Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon.

After his marriage to Irene, they lived in Oak Harbor, WA while he was stationed there. In 1946 they moved to Ottumwa, IA where he attended barber school and then was employed as a barber. In January, 1951 they moved to the Tipton family farm north of Queen City where he and Irene lived until moving to Kirksville in 2000. He continued raising livestock until moving to Kirksville.

Dean completed his undergraduate degree from Northeast Missouri State College (now Truman State University) in 1969 and his Masters Degree from the same in 1970. He was employed as an Industrial Arts teacher in northeast Missouri schools for a period of time.

Dean was baptized into the Presbyterian faith while living in Ottumwa. He later attended the Baptist Church in Queen City and First Baptist Church in Kirksville. He served as a 4-H leader for many years and was a member of the local Lions Club and American Legion. Dean was an active member in his community throughout his lifetime with a special calling for the American Cancer Society and as a Red Cross blood donor. Dean and Irene loved traveling and took many family vacations. They also took several bus tours around the United States including trips to Hawaii, Alaska, and Germany.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday (July 7, 2012) at Dooley Funeral Home with Pastor George Bradburn officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Queen City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Dob Sidwell, Steve Weohr, Dennis Engle, Charles Rhoads, Ronnie Hart and Randy Johns. Honorary bearers will be Richard Western and Virgil Schmitter.

Visitation will be after 1:00 p.m. Friday with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Dooley Funeral Home, Queen City, MO 63561   660-766-2241

Memorials to the Schuyler County Relay for Life or Queen City Cemetery.