Doris Johnson Tippett

Doris J. Tippett, 94, of St. Joseph, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 11:00 AM at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, with Pastor David Wheeler officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville. Friends may visit with the family on Monday, January 16, 2017 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to First Congregational United Church of Christ, Sarett Nature Center or LOGAN Autism Learning Center – Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Doris was born on May 27, 1922, in Orange, New Jersey to Arthur & Minna (Woelfle) Johnson. In her early years, Doris lived in Verona, NJ, and became a registered medical assistant. During WWII, she used her medical knowledge to serve as a volunteer for the Red Cross Nurses Aid. On March 16, 1946, Doris married Henry H. Tippett upon his arrival home from serving in WWII. In 1958, Doris & Henry moved to St. Joseph for a business transfer. Shortly after, she began volunteering at Memorial Hospital, now Lakeland Hospital, and served as chairman of the surgical volunteers for many years. Doris accumulated over 5000 hours of volunteer service. In 1996, Doris founded and served as facilitator of the St. Joseph Parkinson’s Support Group affiliated with Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation. In 2000, she was awarded the Ellen Otto Service Award, given by the Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation in recognition of her contribution to Parkinson’s disease. Doris was a member of First Congregational Church, Antiquarian and Historical Society, Indian Hills Garden Club, the Heritage & Cultural Center, a lifelong member of Women’s Service League. She also volunteered at Krasl Art Center and Sarett Nature Center. Doris is survived by her daughters, Nan (Michael) Johnson of Crested Butte, CO and Sally (David) Grumbine of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Steven (Tina) Johnson, Sara (Tyler) Swan, Kristin (Brett) Wier, Kara (Michael) Morphey, Andrew (Ashley) Grumbine, and Alex Grumbine; great-grandchildren, Margaret and Nicholas Johnson, Enzo, Emmett and Harlan Swan, Hannah and Averie Wier, Keegan and Maddox Morphey, Penelope and Palmer Grumbine, and two more are due in the summer of 2017. Doris was preceded in death by her parents and loving husband of almost 59 years, Henry.