James C. Shipley, 79, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, January 3 at Knox Community Hospital.
Shipley was born May 27, 1939, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, the son of Kenneth and Leota Mae (Deakins) Shipley. He was a 1958 graduate of Fredericktown High School.
Shipley was a family farmer first, but he later served as a representative for Pioneer Seed before establishing Shipley Seed Service with his family for more than 42 years. He also served as the Mount Vernon city treasurer for more than 10 years, was a representative for MoorMan’s in Illinois and retired in 2001 after 15 years of employment with Mount Vernon Farmers Exchange.
He was also active in his community either serving on various boards or volunteering his time to organizations and functions. He served on the Knox County Fair Board for more than 40 years, 100% 4-H club for more than 28 years, co-founder and charter member of the Fredericktown Tomato Show, president of Home Talent Stakes, officer on the Fredericktown Athletic Boosters and member of the Knox County Farm Bureau. He was also recognized as the Knox County Young Farmer of the Year in 1973 and hosted 3 Heart of Ohio Farm Tours over the years.
Shipley was loved by many and will be missed by his family and many friends.
He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Debra (Cockerill); children, Wid (Lori), Tanya Jo (Gary) Knapp, Sonya (Mark) Overholt and Jamie (Terri); stepchildren, Amber (Rob) Fowler, Traci (Jason) Vela and Ryan (Lee Anne) Pentz; seven grandchildren; seven step grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a step great-grandson; and sisters, Betty Grant, Joyce Pence, Vonda (Fred) Turner and Terry (Delmis) Gaddis. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Phyllis Brown and Annie Fearn.
Friends may call on Tuesday (Jan. 8) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. at Christ the King Community Church, 15598 McClelland Road, Fredericktown, OH 43019 where a funeral service will be held on Wednesday (Jan. 9) beginning at 11 a.m. Rev. David Wood will be officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Cemetery in Fredericktown, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Knox County 4-H Foundation or the Knox County Horsemen’s Association.
To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of James Shipley.
(USTA)