John W. Tipping, 85, longtime Erie resident, died Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at the Allen County Hospital in Iola.

He was born April 17, 1924, in Erie to John Henry and Minerva Elizabeth “Lizzie” Hoffman Tipping. He graduated from Erie High School.

On April 17, 1944 he and Lela Cox were married at Humboldt. She preceded him in death on June 25, 2009.

He worked many years at the Meadow Sweet Creamery in Erie and was a truck driver to haul grade A milk for delivery in Parsons, Joplin and Wichita. He and his wife also farmed east of Erie. For several years before retirement he worked for Neosho County as a truck driver.

He enjoyed hunting birds and fishing in early years. Boating and camping were enjoyed with the family prior to his farming involvement. He loved to play cards with the family and at the senior center.

In September 2008 John and Lela moved from the farm to the Prairie Mission Retirement Center in St. Paul. As their health changed they moved to the Iola area and he was residing at the Moran Manor until his death.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Margaret and Don Gregg, El Dorado, and Judy and David Kramer, Iola; a son and daughter-in-law, John Lee and Judy Tipping, Enid, Okla.; seven grandchildren, Tracy Kilpatrick and her husband Charles, Wichita, Bradley Gregg and his wife Jenni, El Dorado, Douglas Gregg and his wife Jen, Virginia Beach, Va., Shellee Sattelmeier and her husband Scott, Whitewater, Shanna Cambron, Enid, Okla., Mike Kramer and his wife Kelli, Iola, and John Kramer, Iola; 15 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; many nieces and nephews; and two sisters, Lottie Bass and her husband Mason Jr., Columbus, and Margaret Cobaugh, Carthage, Mo.

Preceding him in death were a sister, Amy Madl, and a brother Dwight “Buck” Tipping.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Friday at the Erie Federated Church. Burial will be in East Hill Cemetery under the direction of Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Erie.

The family will greet friends and relatives at a reception immediately following the service in the church basement fellowship hall. Friends may also call at the Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Erie this afternoon and evening and Friday morning.

Contributions may be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of the donor’s choice in care of the funeral home, Box 182, Erie, KS 66733.