Bernard “Bernie” Vipond, 80 of Aledo, died Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be 4 p.m., Sunday, April 16, at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Visitation is prior to services beginning at 2 p.m. Military Honors will be provided by the Mercer County VFW Post #1571, of which Bernie was a member. Memorials may be made to the Mercer County VFW Post #1571. The family asks that you wear casual clothing or your favorite team shirt for the services and visitation.
Bernie was born on June 25, 1942 in Aledo, Illinois, to Malon and Edna (Esp) Vipond. He was a United States Army Veteran, serving in Vietnam. He married Mary McKnight on May 24, 1975, in Aledo.
In his early years, Bernie worked for the Shale City Brickyard before going to International Harvester, later retiring from Case IH. He was a sports fanatic, able to play any sport, except he could not run. He was a star pitcher for the Winola Jets in his youth and loved to golf. Bernie was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan, and enjoyed the Chicago Bears, Iowa Hawkeyes, and any sport his nieces played for Mercer County. He loved to go spend his $20 on the slot machines. Bernie was known affectionately as Uncle Bern to many and especially loved his family, particularly his grandchildren.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Mary; daughter and son-in-law, Nicole and Josh Koch; grandchildren, Makenna, Drayson, and Drake; many nieces and nephews, including, Tracy and Monte Sackville and daughters, Jessica and Bayley; and sister-in-law, Barb Robinson. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Mary Lafferty, Malon “Bub” Vipond, Jr., Bonnie Fisher, Shirley Whitehall, Jim Vipond, Jack Vipond, and Catherine in infancy.