Dennis Owen Phipps
April 1, 1938 — May 8, 2020
Dennis Owen Phipps was born April 1, 1938 in Garden Grove, Iowa the son of Miles and Wynna (Andrew) Phipps.
He was raised in the Garden Grove area, where he graduated from high school in 1956. Dennis attended Simpson College, in Indianola, earning his BA in Music Education. Dennis was united in marriage to Dorothy Irene Thompson June 28, 1959 in Indianola, Iowa. Dennis taught school for Grand Valley two years, then Baxter for seven years before the couple moved to Pleasantville in 1969. He was the instrumental music teacher for Pleasantville from 1969 to 1979. Dennis also worked as an insurance agent, locksmith and did appliance repair and custom leather work prior to retirement.
Dennis was very active in the Pleasantville community; he was a Cub Master and Scout Master for troops 363 from 1970 through 1982. During that time he helped guide over 20 young men to the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a founding member of the Pleasantville EMS and served from 1972 to 1995, and was Chief for several years. He was also instrumental in the initial Pleasantville 4th of July daytime celebrations, starting in the early 1970’s with the Boy Scout’s flag raising and pancake breakfast and open house/blood pressure checks with the EMS. Dennis also served on the Pleasantville planning and zoning commission for several years. He was also a member of the Lions Club for over 21 years and worked actively in the kids vision screening program.
Dennis passed away Friday, May 8, 2020 at his home at the age of 82 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gail Phipps and son, David Phipps.
Those left to cherish Dennis’ memory include his wife, Dorothy; children: Dudley (Kelly) Phipps of Pleasantville, Darren (Kerry) Phipps of Rockford, Illinois and Dee Phipps of Pleasantville; grandchildren: Amanda (Scott) Hoffman; Ryan, Ashley, Chrissy, Brianna, Michael and Fiona Phipps and Cori (Sean) Green; great-grandchildren: Kaylee and Emma Hodnefield, Tristan, Tate and Mackenzie Hoffman and Finn and Baby Green; sister, Shirley Birlingmair of Indianola and many other family members and friends.
A funeral service for Dennis Phipps, age 82 of Pleasantville, will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at the Mason Funeral Home at 6:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. A private burial will be held in Pleasantville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family to be designated at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.BertrandFuneralHomes.com .
Dennis loved parades. A parade Celebrating Dennis’ Life will be held Friday May 15, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. The parade will go from Pleasantville High school, through downtown, past the nursing home and ending up going by Dennis’ home on Pleasant street. The family will be watching from there. Dennis never met a stranger and was always looking for ways to help people in the community. Following the parade, the family encourages participants to honor Dennis’ memory further by supporting one of the local eateries before leaving town.
He was raised in the Garden Grove area, where he graduated from high school in 1956. Dennis attended Simpson College, in Indianola, earning his BA in Music Education. Dennis was united in marriage to Dorothy Irene Thompson June 28, 1959 in Indianola, Iowa. Dennis taught school for Grand Valley two years, then Baxter for seven years before the couple moved to Pleasantville in 1969. He was the instrumental music teacher for Pleasantville from 1969 to 1979. Dennis also worked as an insurance agent, locksmith and did appliance repair and custom leather work prior to retirement.
Dennis was very active in the Pleasantville community; he was a Cub Master and Scout Master for troops 363 from 1970 through 1982. During that time he helped guide over 20 young men to the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a founding member of the Pleasantville EMS and served from 1972 to 1995, and was Chief for several years. He was also instrumental in the initial Pleasantville 4th of July daytime celebrations, starting in the early 1970’s with the Boy Scout’s flag raising and pancake breakfast and open house/blood pressure checks with the EMS. Dennis also served on the Pleasantville planning and zoning commission for several years. He was also a member of the Lions Club for over 21 years and worked actively in the kids vision screening program.
Dennis passed away Friday, May 8, 2020 at his home at the age of 82 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gail Phipps and son, David Phipps.
Those left to cherish Dennis’ memory include his wife, Dorothy; children: Dudley (Kelly) Phipps of Pleasantville, Darren (Kerry) Phipps of Rockford, Illinois and Dee Phipps of Pleasantville; grandchildren: Amanda (Scott) Hoffman; Ryan, Ashley, Chrissy, Brianna, Michael and Fiona Phipps and Cori (Sean) Green; great-grandchildren: Kaylee and Emma Hodnefield, Tristan, Tate and Mackenzie Hoffman and Finn and Baby Green; sister, Shirley Birlingmair of Indianola and many other family members and friends.
A funeral service for Dennis Phipps, age 82 of Pleasantville, will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at the Mason Funeral Home at 6:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. A private burial will be held in Pleasantville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family to be designated at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.BertrandFuneralHomes.com .
Dennis loved parades. A parade Celebrating Dennis’ Life will be held Friday May 15, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. The parade will go from Pleasantville High school, through downtown, past the nursing home and ending up going by Dennis’ home on Pleasant street. The family will be watching from there. Dennis never met a stranger and was always looking for ways to help people in the community. Following the parade, the family encourages participants to honor Dennis’ memory further by supporting one of the local eateries before leaving town.
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