Dan Pipkin

Danville- Dan Pipkin, 92, of Danville passed away at 9:47 PM on Thursday, September 1, 2011 at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center in Danville, IL. He was born on April 10, 1919 in Shreveport, LA to Guy D. Pipkin and Mamie A. Wilkerson. He married Dorothy E. Whitmer on October 2, 1944 in Birmingham, AL. She survives. Also surviving are son Bradford D. (Janet) Pipkin of Danville; daughter Cynthia E. Pipkin-Doyle of Urbana; two sisters, Betty Chateauvert of Larchmont, NY and Dr. Yvonne (Nyal) Williams of Muncie, IN; brother-in-law Edwin Whitmer of Vincennes, IN; granddaughter Danna Doyle; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his step-father, William Barnthouse. Dan served in the Army, as well as the Army Air Corp, during WWII from 1941 to 1945. He started his work career in advertising for Scripps Howard News Services in Shreveport, LA and Birmingham, AL, and the largest advertising agency in Alabama. Dan, Dorothy, Brad and Cindy moved to Danville in 1954 and Dan began working for the Commercial-News where he won numerous advertising awards. In 1971, he purchased Jim Root Advertising, making it into his own business, the Dan Pipkin Advertising Agency, Inc. He was passionate about his work and was involved with the company until the day of his passing. He was a member at Central Christian Church, the Danville Country Club, the Elks Club, the American Legion, was a Paul Harris Fellow and member of the Danville Noon Rotary Club. Dan was also an avid golfer and past president of Vermilion Hills Country Club. He was a longtime season ticket holder and supporter of Illini Football, and loved to travel with his wife and children. Dan was a great salesman and artist, a wonderful husband and father who taught his family his values: the love of God, family and country. Dan had a sweet, loving nature and always exemplified the fine virtuous qualities of a Southern gentleman. A service to celebrate the life of Dan Pipkin will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, a Life Celebration Home in Danville. Pastor Hank Anderson will officiate. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 1-2 PM prior to the service at Sunset. Memorials may be made to Central Christian Church or the American Heart Association. Please join Dan's family in sharing memories, photos, and videos of his life through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.