Ishpeming - Mr. Dewey Bengry Tippett, age 90, of 145 Copper St., Ishpeming, passed away at his home on December 11, 2011, surrounded by family members. He fought a courageous four year battle with prostate and bone cancer. Dewey was born in North Lake location on January 24, 1921 to Marian (Bengry) Tippett Hill and Walter Tippett.


After graduation from Ishpeming High School in 1939, Dewey joined the U. S. Navy, serving in the aviation unit on the Light Cruiser U.S.S. Boise during World War II. His ship participated in ten campaigns in the southwest Pacific, including the Battle of Cape Esperance in 1942, near Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Dewey's military service affected him deeply, leaving him with a lifelong sense of patriotism and honor. His keen memories of shipmates killed in battle and buried at sea never dimmed.

Following discharge from the Navy, Dewey was employed by Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. for 37 years, first at the underground Mather A & Mather B Mines, and later at the Empire Mine, retiring in 1982.

Dewey was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church. He served on the church council and several committees in his younger years. He had a strong Christian faith, and looked forward to being united with his Heavenly Father and the many loved ones awaiting him in Heaven.

Dewey was a strong, proud and quiet role model for his children in every aspect of his life. He built both his family home and his beloved camp, sawing every board and pounding every nail, never being satisfied unless his handiwork was perfect. He was a talented woodworker, helping with projects in his children's homes and able to fix any broken item no matter what it involved. In his last several years of life, he pushed himself to make sure all possible repairs and improvements on his house and camp were completed, knowing the end of his life was close.

Many rich and happy family memories were made at the beloved family camp at Casey Lake, a haven where his children and their families gather every year. The shared loving family bond between his children is the legacy for which Dewey can feel most proud. He loved to cut down trees and split firewood for the camp and sauna stoves and continued to swing his axe like a man half his age until several years before his death. He shared with his children a love for being in the woods, enjoying nature, working the soil and planting a garden. An avid deer hunter, he had buck fever every November, happily heading off to camp with his box of supplies.

Dewey is survived by his wife and partner, Ellen (Korpi) with whom he celebrated 64 years of marriage on Dec. 6, 2011, daughters Trina (Gerald) Fluur, Mary V. Tippett, Annie Tippett and son, Walter (Pam) Tippett. He is also survived by his sisters Dawne (Lowell) Smail, and Irene Vickary; grandchildren James Dewey Carlyon, Laura (Kevin) Brouillette, Matthew (Kristina) Tippett, Nicholas (Regina) Tippett, Molly Tippett, Christopher Fluur, Katrina (Mike) Kehoe, Scott Walker, Timothy Walker and Hannah Walker; great grandchildren, Reid Brouillette and Ethan, Grace and Olivia Tippett. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father Russell Hill, sisters Vivienne and Dixie (Smail) Tippett and brother Van Tippett; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, December 15, 2011 from 10:00-11:30am at Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. The service celebrating Dewey's life will follow at 11:30am at the church, with Pastor Lauri O. Maki officiating. Military Honors will be performed by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #380. Luncheon will be served after the services in the church hall. Inurnment will be made in the Ishpeming Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dewey's grandsons.

Memorials may be directed to the Bethel Lutheran Social Ministry Fund in Dewey's memory.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to UP Home Health & Hospice for providing outstanding care and support to the family during Dewey's illness.