Virgil Tipton

Virgil L. Tipton, 79, of Meriden, passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2009, at his home, surrounded by family. He was born on December 22, 1929, in Picher, OK, the eighth of twelve children of William and Elva Tipton. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1947. After working at Western Electric and Goodyear, he then cofounded Midwest Machine Works. He retired from Goodyear in 1992. He enjoyed sports, fishing, music, working around the farm, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Virgil married Mary Shinn on March 12, 1949. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, one brother, Jerry of Murphy, NC, his sister Mildred Wray of Topeka, two sons, Steve of Meriden and Robert of Nordland, WA, two daughters, Peggy Fanning of Meriden and Becky Tipton of Topeka, and eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He is also preceded in death by six brothers: Gene, Jim, Robert, Cecil, Don, Richard; and three sisters: Marguerite Ellis, Louise Hawver, Betty Stadler.
Services will at 1 PM Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence. Virgil will lie in state after 3 PM Monday, where the family will receive friends from 7-8 PM. Virgil will be cremated, a private family inurnment will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Heart of America Hospice, 3715 SW 29th St., Topeka, KS 66614 or the Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 N. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66608.