Kelton Arthur SHIPLEY

SHIPLEY, TOLSON, BARKER, NEAL, PINKERTON, SMITH, HOUGAS, PETERSON, MILLER, LANE, KLEPPER, ZOLLMAN, BATT, WHEATLEY, VOWELLS, LAND, MCELWAIN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/9/2009 at 03:25:44

OBITUARY - KELTON ARTHUR SHIPLEY

Kelton Arthur SHIPLEY, age 82 of Butler, Missouri, died Sunday, February 16, 1997, at his home. He was born November 19, 1914, as Isadora, Missouri, in Worth County [MO], the oldest son of Ivor Leroy and Edna (TOLSON) BARKER SHIPLEY.

Kelton lived his entire life in the Isadora community where he farmed quite extensively and raised purebred Balck Aberdeen Angus cattle and then Simmental-Angus crossbred cattle until he retired, sold his farm, and moved to Butler, Missouri. On August 4, 1935, he was married to Blanche Maxine NEAL, daughter of John Russell and Grace (PINKERTON) NEAL of Allendale, Missouri, by Aaronic Priest Guy SMITH of Lamoni, Iowa, in the NEAL home south of Allendale.

In August, 1942, they took their first "honeymoon" trip, spending ten days at the Far West RLDS Church reunion near Stewartsville, Missouri. Here Kelton was baptized into the Reorganized Church of jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by Brother Edward PETERSON in the font at the RLDS Cameron, Missouri, Church. He was confirmed August 14, 1942, by Brother Ward HOUGAS. On March 25, 1945, Kelton was ordained to the office of Aaronic Priest, and in February, 1946, he was appointed pastor of the Allendale Mission in Lamoni Stake. On February 27, 1949, he was ordained to the office of Elder. he continued to function as presiding Elder at Allendale until September, 1952,when he resigned to take up his new office as pastor of the Grant City, Missouri, RLDS group. In early summer of 1955, he and his family were transferred to the Mt. Ayr, Iowa, Congregation where they attended until October, 1969. They were then transferred back to Allendale where Kelton assisted the pastor, Ralph MILLER. After Brother MILLER's death in August, 1970, Kelton assumed the duties of pastor and was offically made pastor in February 19781. He was pastor for many years.

Kelton enjoyed church work and time spent with his family throughout the years. He was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather . . . and was thoughtful of their needs. Due to a concern for the health of his wife, Blanche, it was a wish of kelton that she not make the trip to Grant City for his burial. he will be missed by family and friends.

Kelton is survived by his wife of over 61 years, Blanche SHIPLEY of Butler, Missouri; one son, Russell SHIPLEY and wife Connie of Chyenne, Wyoming; two daughters, Madelyn LANE KLEPPER and husband Roger of Butler, Missouri, and Sharon ZOLLMAN and husband Bill of Independence, Missouri; two brothers, Neil SHIPLEY and wife Betty of West Covina, California, and Jay SHIPLEY and wife Ilene of Grant City, Missouri; two sisters, Leota BATT and husband Marvin of Glendora, California, and Maxine WHEATLEY and husband Dwight of Eckert, Colorado; 11 grandchildren, Vonda VOWELLS, Steven ZOLLMAN, Vicky ZOLLMAN, Brad LAND, Marcee McELWAIN, Brian LANE, Travis SHIPLEY, Troy SHIPLEY, Kathy KLEPPER, Leanne KLEPPER, and Heather KLEPER; and five great-grandchildren, Sean McELWAIN, Mandee McELWAIN, Chelsey LANE, Brandon LANE, and Quentin VOWELLS.

Funeral services were held 2 p. m. Wednesday, February 19, 1997, at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler, Missouri, Elders Leroy BECKHAM and Wayne BECKHAM officiating with comments by hospice nurse Ruth BECKHAM. Music was "In The Garden," "How Great Thou Art," "Peace in the Valley," and "You'll Never Walk Alone." Funeral services at Prugh- Dunfee Funeral Home of Grant City, Missouri, were held Thursday, February 20, 1997 at 2 p. m. Casket bearers were Brian LANE, Brad LANE, Allen McELWAIN, Bill ZOLLMAN, Steven ZOLLMAN, Rick VOWELLS, Roger KLEPPER, Troy SHIPLEY and Travis SHIPLEY. Interment was at Grant City [MO] Cemetery.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2009