Donald W. Shipley

Donald W Shipley, 89, passed away Thursday, October 26, 2023 in Raeford, NC. He was born in Chicago, IL on January 31, 1934 to the late Herman Shipley and the late Frances (Brachle) Shipley. Don married the love of his life, Barbara Marx Gale Shipley on November 29, 1975 and lived in the Oswego, Illinois area. In early 1980, Don and Barb moved to the Paducah area of Western Kentucky (Benton) and lived there until her death in 2018.

A devout Catholic, Don remained an active member of St. Anthony and St. Pius X parishes in Grand Rivers, Kentucky until late 2022 when he moved to North Carolina. Don was the much-beloved stepfather to Barb's surviving daughters Jean Ross Meehan (Dennis Heinzelmann), Lisa (John) O’Halloran, and the late Marycarol Coleman Loew. Don was a loving Grandfather to the late James O’Halloran, Elizabeth O’Halloran (Christopher) Castaneda, Mark (Karen) Coleman, Thomas (Jessi) Coleman, Tiffany Loew, Robert Loew, Justin (Katherine) Ross D.C., and Jenna (Willard “Steve” III) Meehan Laster. Don was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren: Craig O’Halloran and Nora Castaneda, Kendal and Vanessa Laster, Henry and Elle Ross, Bradley and Joseph Coleman, and Lucas Pazin. Don is survived by his loving brother Glenn Shipley (Marilyn), and was preceded in death by his brothers Fr. William Shipley, Vernon Shipley, and his sister, Eileen (Kurpis).

Don was a “renaissance man”—inventor, teacher, mentor and friend to many. In 1956, he received his bachelor’s degree from Lewis University in Illinois with concentrations in Aviation and Education. He entered the United States Army in 1957 and served in the H-23 unit for helicopter maintenance. He received many certificates in automotive mechanics, electrical, and automotive/truck refinishing-body reconstruction. He taught Power Mechanics at Gordon Technical High School for 7 years, then Auto Body Repair for 6 years at Fenton High School in Bensenville, Illinois followed by 8 years at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Illinois. In Kentucky, he was the sole proprietor of a couple of automotive-related enterprises until he founded a unique sandblasting business with his and Barb's “Blast-Off!”service in 1987 which he owned and operated until 2021. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan—and proud of it.

Through all of his working life, Don was passionate about teaching children and young adults how to work with their hands, use their heads, and enjoy the wonders of science and nature around them. He was truly excited to see them learn a new skill or ask a good question—and always had something fun to show his students, grandchildren, and kids at church. He had a fun way of looking at the world that delighted children of all ages—he made an impact, and will be missed.

Friends and family will gather for a visitation and funeral service for Don that will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, November 4th, 2023 at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd Street, Oak Lawn, Illinois. Prayer services will follow, with interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. The family is arranging a private funeral mass at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.blakelamboaklawn.com for the Shipley family.