Russel "Dave" Shipman
January 1, 1947 ~ March 3, 2023
Russel "Dave" Shipman, 76, retired United States Air Force Master Sergeant, died Friday, March 3, 2023. Memorial Service will be at 10:00 am, Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary. Graveside service, 1:00 pm, Wednesday, March 8, 2023, Kansas Veterans' Cemetery, Winfield, KS. Preceded in death by his parents, Russell E. and Grace V. Shipman. Survived by his daughters, Michelle (Benjamin) Kelly, Heather Clark; son, Jeffrey Shipman; sisters, Hollie Shipman, Melanie McGinn; grandchildren, Sarah Kelly, Nichole (Matt) Jones, Larissa Layman, Amy Kelly, Charlie Kelly, Faith (Peter) Kelly-Shea, Abigail (Matt) Baden, Stephen Clark, Mickey Clark, Nathan Clark, Daniel Clark; 8 Great-Grandchildren; nephew, Karson McGinn; nieces, Evynn McGinn, Macie McGinn, Camryn McGinn. Memorial has been established with Phoenix Home Care & Hospice, 3450 North Rock Road, Building 200, Suite 213, Wichita, KS 67226.
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Rest Russel, until you hear at dawn, the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation. Career U.S. Air Force, Master Sergeant.
March 7, 2023
David,
First of all, and most important, “Thank you for your service!”.
David and I were first cousins. David’s dad, Russell, and my mother, Ardellia,, were brother and sister growing up primarily in Chadwick, MO. Both made major life changes. My mother moved to the ‘Big City’ of Chicago and Russell enlisted in the service during World War II. His job assignment was in tanks.
David and I, as cousins, were pretty diverse. We were 4-5 years different in age. I was the city kid, David preferred the country. We didn’t get the chance to spend much time together as family visits were infrequent. My family did make a couple of trips in the mid-50’s to Granada, Colorado, where Russ worked as a irrigation rider for, as I recall, Japanese beet farmers. On one occasion, on the way to Colorado, we stopped in Wichita, Kansas to pick up Grandpa Shipman.
Granada was a couple of miles from the Kansas border. As a side trip, it was decided Russ, David and the Richters would go to Colorado Springs and drive to the summit
of Pike’s Peak in Russell’s 50-ish Hudson. WHAT A TRIP!! Coming down from the summit of Pike’s Peak the adults opted to stop to buy a six pack and have a beer before heading home. We were parked on the street in Manitou Springs, standing around the Hudson, when Police pulled up and said “You can’t drink alcoholic beverages on the streets like this, what’s the matter with you?” So much for that adventure!
Another recollection was David’s retirement from the Air Force when he moved his family to Colorado Springs. We got to see his family more often, and he and I even bowled on the same bowling team one year. David was a great bowler! It was fun being able to be teammates.
These are just a few thoughts and memories, “Cuz”. RIP.
Ron Richter
Yes, David, “thank you for your service”. I am also a first cousin of Dave’s. My mom, Aunt Gin and his dad, Russell were sister and brother.
David and I are four months apart in age. I’m four months older. The pictures of the children posted are the five oldest cousins. Those pictures were taken in our grandparents’ yard in Chadwick, MO. David and I were taken care of, as a pair, by our grandma Ruth, our first babysitter. Grandma was crazy about David. As soon as I had language I might have said, “grandma only loves me”. We shared the unconditional love of Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Ruebin…what a great start.
Michelle and Heather, thank you for the thoughtful service and he was proud of you both.
Sharon Stevens Adamson
With all do respect, Thank You for your Outstanding Service to and for this great country. You will be dearly missed, I’m so thankful for our friendship and the many memories and experiences through the years. we shared. God Grace and Blessings my dear friend 🙏🏻 RIP till we meet again ole man. 🤠👍
David, I have missed our conversations on fishing and all the Missouri memories you shared, so many of the people you mentioned were well known by Mom and Dad. Mother really enjoyed your Aunt Polly. The camping, fishing trips were alot of fun, I remember them well, catfish, turtles and frogs, thanks for sharing. Thank you for sharing all of that and so good to see you at Aunt Carolyns garage sale. To short, time passes to fast but I love ya lots. Your cousin Linda
Heather and family I am so sorry for your loss. remember the good times and cherish your memories