Constantine L. "Dean" Chipokas
August 12, 1936 — August 18, 2008
Constantine (Dean) Chipokas, 72, beloved husband of Carrol, left this life to spend eternity with God on Monday, August 18, 2008, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Dean exemplified his stamina and love of life as he dealt with his cancer. A celebration of Dean’s life will be shared at his funeral services, 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 21, 2008, at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Cedar Rapids, presided by Father Ciprian Sas. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 20, 2008, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home, 520 Wilson Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, where a Trisiagion service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Dean is survived by his wife of 15 years, Carrol; his brother, Jim (Ruth); a sister, Suzanne (Wally) Benson; nephews, Mark (Raquel) Chipokas and Scott Chipokas, all of Cedar Rapids; nieces, JoAnna (Alex) Ringsby of Denver, Colorado, and Kathy (Josh) Emery of Poway, California; his stepsons, Brian (Danielle) Johnson and grandsons Quinn and Cort of Arvada, Colorado, and Mark Johnson of Solon, Iowa; his special cousin, Kay (Nick) Colon and their family members, Pam and son, Nick, Tina (Brad) Shield and their daughter, Hannah, all of the Chicago, Illinois area; his brother-in-law, Rodger (Liz) Keleher and family Jeff (Jody), Christopher and Cathy (Kris) Hill, all of Marion; and sister-in-law, Sandra (Ethan) Sproston and son, Wayne of Marion.
Dean was born August 12, 1936, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Johanna Rumelotis and Louis Chipokas. He attended Coe College one year after his graduation from Franklin High School then went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Iowa and was proud to belong to the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. After graduation, he taught high school at both Central City and Scranton, Iowa.
After the sudden death of his parents, he took a new path and got his Securities License from the University of Nebraska. At Lincoln, Dean worked at a broker several years and then began a new career with New York Life in 1991, from where he retired after 17 years of service in July of this year.
Dean followed after his father and became active in AHEPA and achieved the rank of Supreme Governor, something he knew his father would be proud of. All who knew Dean loved him for his kindness and great humor. His passions were Iowa Football and pheasant hunting with his friends and dog Sam. He appreciated family gatherings to enjoy good food, watching Iowa sports and just being with loved ones. Dean will be greatly missed by those who had the honor of knowing him and being part of his life.
The family extends their appreciation to Dr. Wiesenfeld and the staff at Oncology Associates and to the staff at Mercy Radiation Center. It was a blessing to have the Team at Mercy Hospice assist with the care of Dean.
Memorials may be directed to St. John the Greek Orthodox Church in Dean’s honor.
Dean is survived by his wife of 15 years, Carrol; his brother, Jim (Ruth); a sister, Suzanne (Wally) Benson; nephews, Mark (Raquel) Chipokas and Scott Chipokas, all of Cedar Rapids; nieces, JoAnna (Alex) Ringsby of Denver, Colorado, and Kathy (Josh) Emery of Poway, California; his stepsons, Brian (Danielle) Johnson and grandsons Quinn and Cort of Arvada, Colorado, and Mark Johnson of Solon, Iowa; his special cousin, Kay (Nick) Colon and their family members, Pam and son, Nick, Tina (Brad) Shield and their daughter, Hannah, all of the Chicago, Illinois area; his brother-in-law, Rodger (Liz) Keleher and family Jeff (Jody), Christopher and Cathy (Kris) Hill, all of Marion; and sister-in-law, Sandra (Ethan) Sproston and son, Wayne of Marion.
Dean was born August 12, 1936, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Johanna Rumelotis and Louis Chipokas. He attended Coe College one year after his graduation from Franklin High School then went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Iowa and was proud to belong to the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. After graduation, he taught high school at both Central City and Scranton, Iowa.
After the sudden death of his parents, he took a new path and got his Securities License from the University of Nebraska. At Lincoln, Dean worked at a broker several years and then began a new career with New York Life in 1991, from where he retired after 17 years of service in July of this year.
Dean followed after his father and became active in AHEPA and achieved the rank of Supreme Governor, something he knew his father would be proud of. All who knew Dean loved him for his kindness and great humor. His passions were Iowa Football and pheasant hunting with his friends and dog Sam. He appreciated family gatherings to enjoy good food, watching Iowa sports and just being with loved ones. Dean will be greatly missed by those who had the honor of knowing him and being part of his life.
The family extends their appreciation to Dr. Wiesenfeld and the staff at Oncology Associates and to the staff at Mercy Radiation Center. It was a blessing to have the Team at Mercy Hospice assist with the care of Dean.
Memorials may be directed to St. John the Greek Orthodox Church in Dean’s honor.
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