Vernon "Vern" LeRoy Tipton

Vern Tipton Dies Gunshot Wound

Vern Tipton, 66, died about noon last Wednesday, May 22, of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at his ranch three miles northwest of Harrison, according to investigating officers.

He was found by his wife lying south of the garage approximately 100 feet from the house, a .22 rifle nearby, when she called him for lunch and died shortly later. The Community Ambulance was called and Vern Hanley and Joe Whiteaker responded.

Dr. W. O. Brown pathologist of Scottsbluff acting as physician for the Sioux County Coroner made the autopsy at Crawford and said that the bullet had entered the chest just above the heart and would not likely have been fatal had it not struck the large artery.

Mr. and Mrs. Tipton had come in shortly before from working on a windmill. Both Sheriff Tom Broderick and Coroner W. E. Mumby investigated.

Funeral services were held from Memorial United Methodist Church on Saturday afternoon with Robert Todd officiating. Burial was in the Harrison Cemetery. Pall bearers were Arthur From, Russell From, Ernest Pullen, George Schaefer, Lester Taylor, William Baker. Organist was Mrs. Todd and songs were sung by Miss Lilly Larsen, Mrs. Bill Didier, Mrs. Charles Mumby and Miss Linda Todd.

Vernon LeRoy Tipton was born November 10, 1901, the son of N. L. and Martha Fleming Tipton on a ranch in Sioux County. He attended rural school and High School in Harrison. In February 1926 he was married to Amy Shatto, and they had one child, Ruthie. After the death of his first wife he was married on August 6, 1931, to Isabell Haase.

He is survived by his widow and four daughters, Mrs. Don Harting (Ruthie), Lander, Wyo.; Mrs. Donald Leeling (Donna), East St. Louis, Ill.; Mrs. Leo Rodgers (Patty), Troutsdale, Ore.; Mrs. Robert Ruch (Joy), St. Paul, Minn.; one sister, Mrs. Grace Hall, Lander, Wyo.; and two brothers, Seth and Harold (Ted) of Harrison; and 12 grandchildren. His first wife, one daughter and one son died previously.

This gravestone photo was found on nebraskagravestones.org.

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