Jim Shipley

Jim Shipley, 78, passed away at the Iowa Veterans Home on May 13, 2016. A Memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home on Monday, May, 16th. Military Honors will be provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #839 and American Legion Posts in the Marshalltown area. With a public visitation held from 5-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 15th. For condolences please feel free to contact www.mitchellfh.com or call (641) 844-1234. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Jim and his family. Jim was born on July 16th, 1937 to the parents of Kenneth and Martha (Tweed) Shipley in Marshalltown, Iowa. Jim was educated in the Gilman School System until he was able to serve his country in the Armed Forces. Jim enlisted in to the United States Army in 1954 at the age of 16 and proudly served for three years. When he returned he married Lois Gazaway. They later divorced. He then married the love of his life in Karen Sanders. The two would be married on August 22, 1964. They were proud parents to eight children. They made their home in Marshalltown and opened their home to their ever growing family, while Jim worked at Cessford Construction Company. Jims passion was his family, he would spend as much time with them as he could. Watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren kept him feeling young. Jim was quite a dancer and loved to dance with his lovely wife, while listening to Smitty and Nula play. He was known to many as The Big Bopper. He was known to enjoy a beer or two and the stories he told would become amazing memories. Left to cherish his memory are his children; Patricia Shepard, Rick (Sandy) Weitzell, Darla Fordyce, Kim (Jan) Driscoll, Donna (Jim) Collins, Terri (Larry) Pacheco, Mike (Amy) Shipley, Mark (Kim) Shipley, 33 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren with one more on the way, countless nieces and nephews, brother Wayne (Bertha) Shipley, sister JoAnn Martin, and brother- in-law Bill Bennett. Jim is preceded in death by his wife Karen, parents Kenneth and Martha, sister Deloris Bennett and brother-in-law Ralph Martin. Gotta Love Louie!