Michael J. Sipula III, a lifelong resident of Ottawa, died at home on July 15 after a brief illness. He was 55. Funeral services will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home.
Born March 5, 1969 in Ottawa, Illinois, Sipula, or “Red” as he was commonly known, was born the middle of three children to Mike Sipula Jr and Margaret Stockley.
He learned the game of golf from his father, a PGA golf professional, and grew up across from the first hole at Pine Hills Golf Club where he could practice and play every day.
“Red” was a lifelong lover of the game of golf and won the 1985 Illinois State AA High School Golf Championship when he was a junior. The next year he finished 4th as his team, including his younger brother, took 6th in state. As a sophomore, Michael was the 6th man on the Ottawa Pirates varsity basketball team which traveled to Assembly Hall in Champaign for the state basketball tournament. He won dozens of junior golf tournaments and several local amateur championships including the 2005 Pine Hills Invitational. After graduating from Ottawa Township High School in 1987 he attended Centenary College of Louisiana and then Illinois State University. His friends and family will remember him as a tough competitor whether it be playing a round of golf or a game of darts.
Sipula is survived by his sister Beth (Geoff) of Scottsdale, AZ, and his brother Thomas (Jennifer) of Freeburg, IL, his niece Lucy and nephew Leo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mike Sipula Jr and Margaret Stockley.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433