Larry Dale Shipman

Larry Dale Shipman, 79, of Robinson, IL, died at 10:09 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at Carle Hospital in Urbana, IL, following a massive heart attack. He was born July 24, 1935 in Robinson, the son of Rueben and Gertie (Rich) Shipman. He was preceded in death by a baby brother, Albert, his grandparents, parents, many aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, his granddaughter Cora & daughter-in-law Karen (Anthis) Shipman. Larry married Beulah Mae Watts on April 11, 1959 and she survives. Also surviving are his four children & their spouses, Brenda Lee Shipman (Robinson, IL), James Dee & Jeri (Allender) Shipman (Bridgeport, IL), Connie Lyn (Robinson, IL), Daniel Wayne & Vonnie (Tracy) Shipman (Flat Rock, IL); 18 grandchildren, Brandon & Rebecca Shipman, Meranda & Chris Snider, Danielle Shipman & Allen Bower, Joshua & Amanda (Banning) Shipman, Nickie Ballew & Joe Joe Brinson, Jessie & Joni (Miller) Shipman, Adria Shipman, Joseph Peterson & Joel Courtney, Trisha Gregory, Dustin, Matthew & Summer Shipman; 22 great grandchildren, Tosha, Timmy, C.J., Desiree, Tyson, Tiann, Lillie, Avery, Dalton, Kylee, Zophia, Anna, Allison, Ralynn, Ryley, Vincent, Chase, Shaylee, Magen, Faith, Maddex, Kevaeh, Colten and new baby Shipman-Bower to come. He is also survived by his brother Darrell & sister-in-law Marge (Booker) Shipman (Oblong, IL); as well as many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, great-nieces, great-nephews & cousins. Larry worked alongside his brother and parents on the family farm. He graduated from Oblong High School and went on to serve his country in the United States Air Force until 1959. He worked for Inland Steel Mill in Gary, IN, in the oil fields of Crawford County for Rex Frye, for Ripley, for Johnny Watts in Edwardsville and Taylorville, for the Pottery, for Inland Steel, for MaGahey’s Sales and Service, for the Sawmill, for Victor Dana, as a laborer for Sheehan Pipeline, for Morris Construction, and was a construction laborer for Labor Local 1280 until he retired in 2000. He, along with his wife and family, owned and ran the Skyscraper Caf. He was commander for the Robinson VFW Post #4549. He helped his son with Shipman 77 Racing. He loved and enjoyed all his extended family and friends, going to races and bluegrass festivals. He attended prior Grove Baptist Church along with his wife and family. He loved and enjoyed his new church and Pastor Jeff Monroney. He had recently enjoyed teaching his great grandson, Tyson, how to fish and clean them and how to fix bicycles. Visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson with Pastor Jeff Monroney officiating. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. Military graveside rites at the Hardinville Cemetery will be conducted by the Robinson VFW Post #4549. Memorials may be made to the VFW Transportation Fund, with envelopes available at the funeral home.