Norris Sipperley

Norris J. Sipperley, age 99, of Greenville, passed away Monday afternoon, January 20, 2014 in the emergency room of Spectrum Health-United Hospital in Greenville. The son of Oscar David & Charlotte Louise "Lottie" (Lemon) Sipperley, he was born on October 16, 1914 in Greenville. Norris went to work at the age of 12 delivering newspapers for The Daily News... working his way through the ranks to become a press operator. He had also worked for The Grand Rapids Herald and The Grand Rapids Press, and later worked for the City of Greenville in the public works department while still working for The Press on weekends... eventually retiring from both jobs in his late 70's. On January 3, 1937, he married the former Ava Elnora Waldron and together they raised two daughters and enjoyed 73 years of marriage. He enjoyed living close to his family, taking care of their needs and teaching his grandson's, great-grandson and great-granddaughter's how to garden, hunt mushrooms, as well as fishing and hunting deer and small game. He his preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ava Sipperley on March 10, 2010; a son-in-law, Robert "Bob" Beechler; a great grandson, Christopher Copeland; his parents-in-law, Charles & May Waldron; and two sisters, Daisy Mae Kidd-Salsberry and Genevieve Cochron. Norris was a wonderful loving Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa who will be missed by his two daughters, Marjorie Beechler, and Jackie & Roger Copeland; two grandsons, Rick Copeland, and Ken & Judy Copeland; two great granddaughters, Mykalia Copeland, and Kendra Copeland; a sister-in-law, Thelma M. Goodwin; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and an "adopted" niece, Patsy Raby. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday at Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, where funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday. The Rev. Tommy Turner, pastor of Jesus Non-Denominational Church will officiate and burial will take place privately at Rest Haven Memory Gardens. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norris Sipperley, please visit our flower store.