Vernon "Vern" James Hipwell's Obituary
Vernon “Vern” James Hipwell, age 76, of Spring Lake, passed away on July 18, 2013. Vern was born in his home in Detroit to Charlotte and Arthur Hipwell on January 30, 1937.
College degrees include B.A from Alma College in Alma, Michigan. LLB & Juris Doctorate from University of Wisconsin, Degree in Credit & Financial Management from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Working career was with Unocal 76 for 30 years, and served 16 years in Credit and Finance, and 14 years in Marketing, while the family lived in Palatine, IL. 2 years with National AUTO-TRUCKSTOPS Inc. and retired from UNOCAL in 1993 and AUTO-TRUCKSTOPS in 1996.
Vern enjoyed being an event organizer for Unocal 76 Golf Events along with business trips to Curtis Isle, Rainy Lake, Minnesota. Being with the family: fishing, cooking, entertaining and lots of History. A great Charlie Chan, Sherlock Holmes and Law and Order Fan. A great memory full of trivia and facts.
On graduation day from Alma College he married Shirley Stocklin from Grand Haven, his college sweetheart, in the Chapel at Alma College on June 4, 1960. As class officers, President and Secretary it was a graduation class event. With Dr. Wallace Robinson of First Presbyterian Church in Grand Haven, Michigan officiating. Vern and Shirley were married for 53 years with two sons, Michael (Susan) Hipwell of Arizona, and Douglas (Christine) Hipwell of California. He was a proud grandfather of Robert and Jack Hipwell of California.
Dear Uncle, of Art (Janine) Hipwell, Helen (Sean) McCaughan, Steve (Agnes) Hipwell, Edward (Cheryl) Hipwell, and Fred (Kris) Hipwell; great uncle of Gregg, Holli, Scott, Nick, and Vince Hipwell, and Jimmy McCaughan; and sister-in-law, Marie Hipwell.
Vern was preceded in death by two brothers, William and Edward, and his sister, Helen.
Vern was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Arlington Heights, IL for over 35 years and then University Presbyterian Church in Tempe, AZ.
Interment is at Lake Forest Cemetery in Grand Haven. For those who would like to honor Vern's memory, donation can be made to the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation (1 S. Harbor Ave. Grand Haven, MI 49417) where a Hipwell Scholarship Fund has been set up for area residents of Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg for those who would not otherwise be able to attend college, giving them a chance to earn a degree at a college of their choice. Please share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
The family was served by VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home of Spring Lake.
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