Arthur R. Phipps Obituary (1939 - 2018)

Arthur R. "Art" Phipps , 79, of Lexington, passed away Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center surrounded by his family. His visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Lexington Community Church, 805 S. Pine St., Lexington. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Lexington Community Church with Pastor Kendall Coffman officiating. Burial will be in Lexington Township Cemetery with Military Rites by the Lexington American legion. Calvert and Musselman Funeral Home is assisting the family with services. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Lexington Community Church or the Community Cancer Center in Normal, IL. Art was born on January 29, 1939 to Gilbert W. and Mabel (LeDuc) Phipps in Bloomington, IL. He married Marlene (Sutter) Stephey on November 19, 1963 in Bloomington, IL. He is survived by a daughter, Dawn (Randy) McKain, Lexington, a step-son, Dr. Douglas (Dr. Julie Schornack) Stephey, Fullerton, CA, and a daughter-in-law Kathy Stephey, Bloomington. Also surviving are 9 grandchildren, Tanner Cox, Mesa, AZ, Kyle (Courtney) McKain, Villa Rica, GA, Sarah (Cory) Starr, Bloomington, Molly (Alex) Altman, Washington, DC, Erin (Tom) Miller, Bloomington, Nick Stephey, Bloomington, Michael (Allison) Stephey, Bloomington, Emily and Amanda Stephey, Fullerton, CA and 7 great-grandchildren, Lexi, Treyton, Addie & Avry Miller, Bloomington, Benjamin Richard Stephey, Atlanta, IL and Natalie and Harper Stephey both of Bloomington. Also surviving are 2 siblings, Mary Lessen and Louis Phipps of Bloomington and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene (Sutter) Phipps, a step-son Dr. Richard Stephey, his parents, Gilbert and Mabel Phipps, two brothers, Gilbert and Howard Phipps and three sisters, Lorraine Drybread, Madell Phipps and Carolyn Stock and a brother and sister in infancy, Dale and Rosalin Phipps. Art was a 1957 graduate of Bloomington High School. He was employed at Moberly and Klenner Clothing Store for 15 years and at State Farm Insurance Company for 25 years, lastly as a Senior Supply Specialist retiring in 2000. He was a long time member of the Lexington Community Church (formerly First Baptist Church of Lexington). Art served his country in the U.S. Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a former member of the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department, was an EMT, and served on the Lexington City Council for several years. He was a member of the Lexington American Legion Post #291. Art enjoyed buying and selling antiques, watching the Chicago Cubs and Bears, fishing with his grandson Tanner, and playing pool with his friends. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. Art will be missed, but fondly remembered by his family and friends. The family would like to thank Debbie, Kasey, and all of the caregivers, doctors and nurses for their love, support and assistance.