Sipe named Rockford Citizen of the Year

ROCKFORD - Ryan Sipe got teary-eyed as he viewed a slide show depicting how much time and energy he has dedicated to Shanes Park.

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce at their annual banquet on Thursday night rewarded Sipe for his efforts by naming him Citizen of the Year for 2014.

"This was very unexpected," said Sipe, surrounded by family and friends. "It really means a lot. But I want everyone to know that I couldn't have done anything without the recreation board and the community. I don't know of one business or person in this town that hasn't helped make Shane's Park what it is today."

Sipe has served on the Rockford Recreation Association Board since 2002 and as treasurer since 2005. He also has coached 15 different summer teams and led the effort to establish and grow the Shanes Park Legacy Fund through the Leota Braun Charitable Foundation. Improvements to the park under his leadership include the concession stand expansion and equipment room addition, a diamond lighting project, updated underground drainage system on two diamonds, the planting of 70 trees at the park and sidewalk and dugout work.

Sipe, the son of the late Ronald Sipe and Marcia (Denny) Hoffines, was born in 1974 and grew up in Willshire and Rockford. After a tragic accident in 1986 took the life of his father, Sipe made sure a flashing stop sign was placed at the intersection of state Routes 49 and 707.

While growing up, Sipe participated in sports and was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Students Against Drunk Driving. He graduated in 1993 from Parkway High School and two years later earned an associate degree in business computer applications from Northwestern Business College in Lima.

A branch manager at The People's Bank Company in Rockford, Sipe can be found almost daily at the park. The park is a priority for him because he had fun there as a child and wants his own two children, Mackenzie and Ashtyn, to enjoy the outdoors and sports, he said.

"It's all really for the kids," Sipe said.

The chamber also presented Marcia Ripley with the Business of the Year award. She is a fifth-generation embalmer and funeral director with Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, which has operated in Rockford for 150 years. She received her operating licenses in 1975 after graduating from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in psychology.

Ripley has a daughter, Devon Stansbury.

"This is amazing," Ripley said. "The people before me taught me well. And I have to credit my staff, Casey Nuttle, Peggy Williams and Louis Crow. We're a team."

Other businesses recognized Thursday night were the Picket Fence, owned by Marge Gehle and Jennifer Brandt; Tastee Twirl, owned by Steve Sheets; Eve's Chatt Bar, owned by Valerie Petitt; Rockford Carry Out & Dining, owned by Todd Mathewson; and Rockford's Best Mix- 101.3 WRKD, owned by Jim Crocker.