Earl Shipman

Earl Shipman, 96 of Topeka, passed away Sunday, October 3, 2010 at Brewster Place.

He was born March 6, 1914 in Montreal, MO, the son of Joseph Pleasant and Ollie (Thompson) Shipman. The family moved from Missouri on February of 1924 to a farm in Jackson County, near Hoyt, KS. He lived in Topeka since 1946.
He was a graduate of Hoyt Rural High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Pittsburg State University. In 1942 he joined the U.S. Navy serving during WW II.

Earl was an agent for American Family Insurance Company before retiring in 1977. Previously he taught at Hoyt High School and he worked for the Kansas State Board of Health.

He was a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church, the Topeka Area Retired Teachers, Pittsburg State University Alumni and Capital Post No. 1 of American Legion. After retiring, he was a volunteer at TPAC and Topeka Civic Theater.

Earl married Sarah Ann Pence on June 10, 1941 in Topeka. She preceded him in death on March 11, 2008. Survivors include two sons, Larry Joe (Barbara) Shipman, Topeka and Lester Lynn (Sandra) Shipman, Wilmington, DE; three granddaughters, Elissa (Ronny Reed) Shipman, Topeka, Michelle Shipman, Topeka and Danelle (Carl Kennedy)Shipman of Acworth, GA; six great-grandchildren, Kaile Shipman, Austin Richards, Natalie Richards, Morgan Shipman, Jacob Kennedy and Ryan Kennedy.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at the Highland Park United Methodist Church, 2914 SE Michigan, Topeka, KS 66605. Interment with military honors will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery, Topeka. Earl will lie in state after 3 p.m., Tuesday at the Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Highland Park United Methodist Church or to the organization of the donor's choice.