93, of Good Hope,
Garold Duane Chipman, known to family and friends as Duane, age 93, of Good Hope, IL, passed away on Friday, May 15, at The Elms in Macomb, IL.
Duane was born on March 23, 1933 to James Garold and Opal Mae (Boote) Chipman at St. Francis Hospital in Macomb, IL. The family lived on a farm near Sciota, IL. Duane graduated from Good Hope High School in 1951 and began farming with his father. On February 2, 1952, Duane married Virginia Mae Chenoweth in Quincy, IL.
In 1953, Duane and Virginia moved to his grandfather’s homestead, where they built a life together, raised their family, and where Duane continued to live and farm for the remainder of his life. Throughout his seven-decade career, Duane was recognized for his innovative practices — beginning in 1965 when he was named McDonough County’s Outstanding Young Farmer by the Macomb Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Duane received several awards for farming conservation practices and service, including recognition as McDonough County’s Soil and Water Conservation Farm Family in 1975. In 1978, his son Steve officially joined him in the family farming operation, continuing the family’s deep roots in the land. Blessed with good health, Duane harvested his fields for the last time in the autumn of 2025 at the age of 92. He spent a lifetime behind the wheel of a tractor or combine, making steady rounds across the family fields he loved.
Beyond farming, Duane served his community as a member of the Union National (currently MidAmerica National) Bank Board, the Walnut Grove Township Road Commission, and the McDonough County Soil and Water Conservation Board. He was also a part owner of the Good Hope Fertilizer Company. In his earlier years, Duane enjoyed traveling with family and friends, as well as dancing and bowling. In recent years, some of Duane’s favorite moments were spent visiting with friends over breakfast or lunch at local restaurants.
