In Memory of Gene Bradford Zipse

Gene Bradford Zipse

April 4, 1951 - July 4, 2010

Gene B. Zipse, 59, of Byron, Illinois, formerly of South Beloit, Illinois and Warren, Illinois, died, Sunday, July 4, 2010 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois.

Gene Bradford Zipse was born on April 4, 1951 in Beloit, Wisconsin the son of Bradford William and Viola Hazel (McGonigal) Zipse. He was raised in Warren, Illinois by his grandmother. Gene graduated from Warren High School. He was married to the former Cynthia Gable, and Connie Rainey. For most of his working life, Gene owned and operated his own construction company, working in Omaha, Nebraska, Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Rapids City, South Dakota. For many years Gene was a volunteer fireman. He enjoyed participating in demolision derby's, working on cars, fishing, and camping.

Gene is survivewd by a daughter, Desirae Holmes, four sons, James Zipse, Jason Zipse, Josh (Elisa) Zipse, all of Rockford, Illinois, and Ronnie (Jennifer) Holmes of Florida, eleven grandchildren, Bianca Kristopher, Julia, Casey, Adrian, Nadia, and Zoe Zipse, Amanda Madsen, and Austin, Cheyenne, and Angel Holmes, seven sisters, Linda (Ted) Reimer, South Beloit, Illinois, Darlene (Gene) Wheeler, Debby (Kirk) Howe, and Karen (Marv) Roecker, all of Beloit, Wisconsin, Peggy (Terry) Edwards, and Debbie (Jeff) Hening, both of Janesville, Wisconsin, and Vicky (Sean) Yomans, Boxelder, South Dakota, and three brothers, Bradford Zipse, and Eldon (Mary) Zipse, both of Beloit, Wisconsin, and David (Kathy) Gilbert, South Beloit, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Roy Clark, and Bill Ames.

Funeral services are 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 9, 2010 at Hansen-Gravitt Funeral Home in Beloit, Wisconsin with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. A private inurnment will be in Eastlawn Cemetery in Beloit.