John "Shippy" SHIPMAN

We are very saddened at the loss of John. My husband and I spent many years growing up going to Berlin starting when both our fathers raced there and after they stopped. Hearing his voice was one of the best things. You knew he loved the sport and people in general. I hope they are all doing a lot of bench racing now and that your own special memories will be a great comfort to you in your time of loss.

In addition to being the "Voice of Berlin", John also served as the "Voice of Van Manen Oil" for many years as the main 2 lines rang to his desk. John worked with my father Jerry Van Manen for many years at the old Standard Oil facility down on Butterworth by the John Ball Zoo. After that closed down John came to work for my Dad at the newly formed jobbership. I will always remember John's pleasant attitude, his jovial remarks to all customers and employees and how "GOOD" he made them...

Jan, I am so sorry to hear that John has passed on. He was a wonderful man, a popular and great Sunday School teacher and a very valued member of our church. I was blessed to have him in Sunday School and his love for his students was obvious. As an adult I appreciated his every Sunday morning greeting which always included a joke! He will be missed at First Church of Christ Scientist .

John was quite an announcer. My dad was quite a flag man! We remember him well. I hope they are at the races together!

We have many great memories of John. He was one great man.

John was a great guy who was liked and respected by all that knew him. He did his announcing as it should be done. It was about the racers and the teams and he made the crowd feel part of the action. He set the bar pretty high. He was just a genuinely nice person and I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to interact with him on a weekly basis for many many years and it was a pleasure. He will be missed by all that knew him and may God keep his hand on the shoulders of the family left...

On behalf of our entire Board of Directors, I would like to extend our deepest sympathy and most sincere condolences to the family. John was a great announcer and a monumental asset to our listings of inductees.

Sincerely,

Daniel S. Van Koevering, 9th-term President, Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame

Jan and family,John was a wonderful neighbor,always friendly,and always had a good word to say.We will miss him dearly.Doug and Sue Mc Kay