Howard Earl Shipe

Howard Earl Shipe of Mountain Home, AR passed away April 10, 2017 at the age of 89.

He was born April 12,1927, in Dolton, Illinois, the son of Floyd Earl and Ida Bertha Emilie (Edith) Beltz Shipe. From 1946-1947 Howard served in the U.S. Army’s occupation forces in Japan. After his service to his county in WWII, he went to work for Allis Chalmers, working as an engineer for their Engine Division in Harvey, IL. On October 17, 1953 he married Clara Jean Koehn in Lansing, IL. In 1964, Howard and Jean moved to South Holland, IL where they lived until 1990, at which time they retired to Mountain Home.

His church and spiritual life were very important to him. His church memberships throughout his life included: St. Paul Lutheran Church, Dolton, IL, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansing, IL, Grace Lutheran Church, South Holland, IL and currently Redeemer Lutheran Church in Mountain Home. Outside of his church and career, Howard enjoyed traveling, woodworking, music and probably most important to him was his family.

Howard is survived by his 4 children, Dale (Nancee) Shipe of Fond du Lac, WI, Brian Shipe of Springfield, MO, Sharon (Douglas) Smith of Normal, IL and Julie (Mick) McClain of Monticello, WI: ten grandchildren, Valerie, Elizabeth, Kurt, Katie, Eric, Rebecca, Benjamin, Jonathan, Anna and Justin; two great grandchildren, Eloise and Neil; 2 sister-in-laws Dorothy (Burton) Gardiner of Naples, FL and Barbara (Herman) Fuehrmeyer of The Villages, FL; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother (Melvin Shipe) and sister (Betty Shipe).

Visitation for Howard Shipe will take place on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 from 9 until 11 am at Redeemer Lutheran Church. At 11 am a funeral service will be held at the church with Reverend Kenneth Taglauer and Pastor John Easterling officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the United State Army immediately following the church service. A Family Graveside Service will be held Thursday, April 20, 2017 at Kirby’s Tucker Memorial Mausoleum Open-Air Chapel.

Memorials may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church, the American Heart Association or Hospice.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services.