Ethel M Shippy

February 13, 1913 - September 2, 2012

Ethel Marie (Smith) Shippy, 99, long time resident of Pana, Illinois, formerly Herrick, Illinois, passed away at Prairie Rose Health Care Center, Pana, Illinois, at 7:30 a.m., on Sunday, September 2, 2012. Ethel was born February 13, 1913, in Leonard, Oklahoma. She was raised on the Cherry family farm near Herrick, Illinois. She attended Stork Country School near Herrick. Ethel married Raymond Rollie Seth Shippy on February 20, 1933 in Clinton, Illinois. Raymond and Ethel farmed in the Shelbyville-Herrick-Pana area for years prior to his passing. Ethel then worked at the Green Thumb Greenhouses in Pana until its closure; for the State of Illinois in Springfield documenting archives, and in her later years at Reabens and the Sale Barn. Ethel was preceded in death by her husband Raymond Shippy, parents Frank F. Smith and Lillie Mae Cherry, sisters Eleanor Burrus and Nellie Corley, brothers Fred Smith and Bill Smith; and granddaughter Diana James. Survivors include her 4 children: daughter Shirley Buescher (husband, Rudy) of Pana, Illinois, daughter Ilabelle Sarver (husband Lowell) of Herrick, Illinois, son Rolland Shippy (wife Brenda) of Canyon, Texas, and daughter Louise Shippy-Rouse (husband Tim) of Pana, Illinois. 15 Grandchildren Tom James of Crystal River, Florida, Sam James of Lecanto, Florida, Sue James of Fallsbrook, California, Carol James of Los Angeles, California, Randy Buescher (wife Debbie) of Decatur, Illinois, Janet Crawley (husband Mike) of Hinton, Illinois, Mark Sarver (wife Brenda) of Herrick, Illinois, Sandy Heisermann (husband Butch) of Herrick, Illinois, Christy Shippy of Canyon, Texas, Alicia Bradley (husband Mat) of Canyon, Texas, Leslie Shroeder (husband Chad) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Aaron Riddle of Hillsboro, Oregon, William Rouse (wife Carol) of Elgin, Texas, Angel Flores (husband Ben) of University Place, Washington, and Mary Flores (husband Ira) of Roswell, New Mexico. 23 Great grandchildren Jason Thomas, Ryan James, Justin Hayden, Audrey James, Heather Beyers (husband Jeff), Heather Smart, Waylon Smart, Shannon Wendt (husband Justin), Tiffany Heisermann, Anthony Ramos (wife Ashley), Aaron Hughes, Seth Hughes, Audrey Hughes, Kagen Bradley, Kash Bradley, Cade Shroeder, Abby Shroeder, Jacqueline Riddle, Christan Riddle, Lori Riddle, Aislonn Flores, Dominic Flores and Kailinn Rouse. 6 Great great grandchildren Jeremy Thomas, Emma Wendt, Ben Wendt, Kinley Reynolds, Lexie Taylor and Madelyn Smart. Ethel is survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and their children. Ethel was a member of the First Christian Church in Pana, Illinois. She served and promoted her community as a member of the Community Counsel for the Arts, and remained as an honorary member throughout her life. She donated quilts to support the arts and the Heritage Guild. She demonstrated quilt making for the Heritage Guild. Daughters, Shirley and Ilabelle, talked Ethel into taking a drawing workshop and Ethel discovered her talent for drawing. From childhood throughout her life, she took that hidden talent and created quilts that her family, friends, and the community enjoy and appreciate. Family and friends savored her pies and cobblers, especially their delicious, flaky crusts. Ethel loved quilting, dancing and spending time with her family and friends. .