Gary Gene Shipley, a prominent farmer and lifelong resident of Putnam County, Missouri, passed away at the Wayne County Hospital in Corydon, Iowa, on January 8, 2022. He was born May 21, 1945, the only child of Johnny Wilbur and Linnie Belle (Mathes) Shipley and was 76 years old at the time of his passing.
Gary attended the Halley School in Lincoln Township for the grade school education and graduated from the Unionville High School with the Class of 1962. He married Patricia Carole “Patsy” Richardson on September 29, 1963, at the First Christian Church in Unionville, Missouri.
Gary was well known as a hard-working farmer and cattleman. He helped his Mom and Dad as he grew up on the farm, raising cattle, hogs, sheep, and milking cows. He grew to love farming and was involved in row cropping, raising hogs, cattle, and sheep. He and Patsy worked side by side to increase their production including cattle and their farm operation. After his children were raised, Gary also worked with his sons, Greg and Grant, helping them in the farming business.
Gary was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. In 2010, Gary and Patsy were inducted into the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame. They celebrated their 50th Anniversary at their home in rural Missouri on September 29, 2013,. Gary will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Gary is survived by his daughter, Tracy (Dana) Starrett; sons, Greg (Mitzi) Shipley and Grant (fiancé, Rachael Pflum) Shipley all of rural Unionville. Five grandchildren; Jake (Lauren) Shipley, Chelsea Starrett (friend Logan Broich), Samantha Shipley (fiancé, Kirk Hendershott), Ashley Starrett and Elizabeth Shipley. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Arlo Boone and Hazel Belle Shipley as well as several cousins.
Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia “Patsy”; parents, Wilbur and Belle; grandparents, Charles Elsa and Osa Mathes and Charley and Martha Shipley.
Gary had a special lifelong friend, Sharon Steele. After Patsy’s passing, they enjoyed spending time together, sharing memories, traveling and sightseeing.
Funeral Services at the Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 11:00 AM.
Interment will be at the Thompson Cemetery, east of Unionville, MO.
In lieu of flowers memorials should be made payable to Thompson Cemetery and may be entrusted to Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.