Joan M. Shipley

SHIPLEY, Mrs. Joan M.
Battle Creek, MI
Formerly of Kalamazoo, MI Passed away Friday morning April 2, 2010 at her residence. Mrs. Shipley was born May 30, 1928 in Kalamazoo, Michigan a daughter of Franklin and Irene Doster Shire. She was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and the American Academy of Art in Chicago where she met her husband, Everett who preceded her in death. After her marriage in 1949 they moved to Louisville, KY where she was an assistant advertising manager in a local department store. She and her husband soon moved to Ft. Bragg, NC where he was in the Army, Psychological Warfare Division and she was a secretary to 5 Air Force Colonials. She and her husband later moved to Kalamazoo in 1953. Joan sang and toured with the Sweet Adelines and was a longstanding member of Second Reformed Church. She is survived by 2 sons and a daughter, Jonathan Shipley of Indianapolis, IN, Mark Linda Shipley of Kalamazoo, and Jan Gary Willard of Battle Creek; a former daughter-in-law, Pat Shipley of Kalamazoo; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers and their spouses, Jerry Shire of West Virginia and Phil Shire of Maryland; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held 1 o'clock Saturday at the Second Reformed Church, 2323 Stadium Dr. Friends may meet the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Private graveside services will be held in Riverside Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Second Reformed Church, Arthritis Foundation, or the West Michigan Cancer Center. Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St.