Ronald Emmons Phipps, 86, of North Vernon, passed away November 14, 2016 at St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis. The son of Homer Mastus and Mabel Jane Emmons Phipps, Ronald was born May 14, 1930 in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

He served in the U. S. Army, obtaining the rank of Corporal. For 40 years, he worked as a forklift operator for the Kroger Company. Ronald was a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, North Vernon Ward; American Legion Post 89 in Seymour; was a hospice volunteer since 1997; served on the Board and was Sergeant of Arms of the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Children''s Home in Knightstown. He was a history buff, enjoyed vegetable gardening and western movies. While in the U.S. Army, he was a boxer; and was a model for the John Herron School of Art in Indianapolis.

Ronald is survived by his wife, Carolyn Sue Skelton Phipps of North Vernon; sons, Ronald Wayne Phipps of Indianapolis and Immanuel Skelton Phipps of Avon; daughters, Kathy Sue (Tim) Haines of Indianapolis and Lori Lynn Rice of Peoria, AZ; brother, John David Phipps of Arlington, VA; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Ronald was preceded in death by two brothers, William Kimberlin Phipps and James Michael Phipps.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, prior to the 11 a.m. funeral service. Entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, Greenwood.

The family has suggested memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or to Our Hospice of Jennings County - 245 Norris Avenue North Vernon, Indiana 47265.