Jewel S. (Steele) Tipsword of Sorento, Illinois passed away peacefully on May 11, 2026, at Regency Care in Springfield. Illinois.

She was born on September 5, 1935, to Aaron and Pearl (Roberson) Steele in Sorento, Illinois. As the youngest of four daughters, she shared her childhood with sisters Lucille, Ruby, and Bernice.

Jewel attended school from first grade through junior year of high school in Sorento and graduated from Greenville High School in Greenville Illinois in 1953.

On October 27, 1956, Jewel married Billie Lee Tipsword in Greenville, Illinois. A long and loving marriage lasted until his death on September 18, 1998. Together, they had a daughter, Sharon Lee Eck (James) of Springfield Illinois, grandchildren, Aaron Eck (Lorachelle) of Taylorville, Illinois and Sarah Eck (Brady Meredith) of Riverton, Illinois, and two great-grandchildren, Peyton Juatana and Elliot James Eck, also of Taylorville.

Jewel’s employment over the years included working as a telephone operator in Sorento, at Basler Electric in Highland Illinois, as a homemaker, and with the Bond County Health Department in Greenville, Illinois, where she retired after 30 years of service.

In retirement, Jewel volunteered at the Sorento School for several years and was employed at JG and Associates until the COVID pandemic.

Jewel's dedication to Sorento was endless. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, a founding member of the Sorento Homecoming Association, and a key organizer of the Ripson Bridge Fall Festival. Her main love was her yard and garden, and she worked tirelessly to make sure there was not a single weed anywhere to be found! She was always eager to support local Sorento events by baking or working a job at the event. 

Other survivors include her nieces Marsha (Gruner) Lutz (Rick Kampwerth) of Highland, Illinois, Vicki (Frigo) Durbin of Hillsboro, Illinois, Yvonne (Bandelow) of Greenville, Illinois; her nephew Rick Frigo of Jacksonville, Illinois; and many great-nieces and great-great nieces and nephews. 

Preceding her in death were her husband, Bill; her sisters, Lucille Gruner (Harold), Ruby Tipsword (Duane), and Bernice Frigo (Bruno); her nephews Larry Gruner of Greenville, and Vernon Durbin of Hillsboro; and her niece Bonnie Hamilton of Jacksonville. 

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 11:00-1:00 p.m. at the Sorento Municipal Center. A funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. and interment will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery in Sorento.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be graciously directed to Sunnyside Cemetery.

Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.