Donald L. Sipe

Donald L. “Don” Sipe, 94, of Berne, Indiana, passed away at 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Swiss Village.

He was born on February 22, 1932, in Mercer County, Ohio, to George Wesley Sipe and Esther Elizabeth (Felty) Sipe. Don married the love of his life, Coretta L. Chamness, in Berne, Indiana on December 31, 1953. Their marriage was a beautiful example of steadfast love, caring friendship, and devotion, spanning 72 years until Coretta’s passing on February 14, 2026. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, and service to others.

He graduated from Pleasant Mills High School in 1950 and later from United Electronics Laboratories in 1961. Don retired from CTS in Berne in 1996 after 30 years of dedicated service.

Don’s faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was the foundation of his life. He was a member of Grace Bible Church, where he served as a trustee and Sunday school teacher, sharing his faith and wisdom with all who knew him. He was also deeply involved in his community, including serving as President of the Berne Little League, a Cub Scout leader, and a member of the Berne Planning Commission and Berne Conservation Club.

Don found great joy in working with his hands. Whether in his garden or his garage, he took pride in analyzing, creating, and improving—always striving to make things better than they were before. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing, and traveling. Don loved to play games, and he never passed up the chance to enjoy a good bowl of ice cream. He was also a natural storyteller, sharing memories and laughter with his friends, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and anyone else who would listen! Often, his best stories made an appearance as “good-bye’s” were beginning to be exchanged at gatherings—such was his love for being together with his family.

Don was a jack-of-all-trades with a selfless spirit and a servant’s heart. From hanging drywall to helping with school projects, from fixing cars to installing crown moulding, he could do it all—and the most admirable part was that he never expected anything in return.

Don cherished his family. He is survived by his children, Brenda (James) Sipe-Donahue of Scottsdale, Arizona; Ken (Tammy) Sipe of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Beth (Matt) Miller of Berne, Indiana; his siblings, Marilyn Crane of Decatur, Indiana, and Carl (Linda) Sipe of Maple Grove, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Jill Sipe of Monroe, Indiana; 11 grandchildren—Jessica (Aaron) Karsies, Jana Scripps, Michael (Maria) Scripps, Jordan Donahue, Josh (Lauren) Sipe, Amy (Chris) Todia, Kara (Jerod) Hevel, Nathan (Mia) Sipe-Powell, Eric Sipe-Powell, Alyssa (Grant) Moser, and Taylor (Adam) Lehman—and 22 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Coretta; son, Doug Sipe; great-granddaughter, Hadley Moser; and brother, John Sipe.

Family and friends will be received from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel in Berne, Indiana. Private burial will take place at Backesto (Springhill) Cemetery in rural Berne, Indiana, with Rev. Dr. Jeff Gaskill officiating.

Preferred memorials may be given to The Gideons International or the Swiss Village Samaritan Fund.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel of Berne, Indiana