Stephen W. Shipley

I was blessed to share a stage with Stephen for many of Heritage Player's productions. His talent and his abilities were so very enhanced by his quiet strength. Stephen was a gentle man but one tough fighter. God bless you, Steve.

Stephen was my friend through theater. He was an excellent actor and had a beautiful tenor voice. I thought he was amazing in his ability to capture his characters. We also shared common friends and had great Risk game parties and fun New Years Eve gatherings over the years. He was a courageous man who lived with many health challenges and never let them get in his way. May God take him in and bless those who loved him.

Our hearts go out to Stephen's family and friends as together we mourn the loss of a wonderful friend and actor.Stephen epitomized all that is good about theatre, but more importantly, if he was your friend you were truly blessed. We both feel blessed and will miss our dear friend, our best man. His quick wit and ready smile, his faith in spite of all his adversities will be our strongest memory of Stephen.

Jim has strong memories of how inspired his parents were by the faith-filled Shipley family, filling a row at St. Clement Mary Hofbauer church at so many masses throughout his childhood.

We have been inspired by the faith-filled lives of these now-grown children, and their spouses and offspring. As the parents of six children, we now understand the sacrifices and hard work that comprise raising a Christ-centered family.

God bless all of you as you celebrate Steve's life;...

Although I have moved to upstate New York, I still receive my Catholic High newsletter, and the other day I was going through a box of memorabilia, reminiscing a little, and thinking of Steve, whom I played opposite in George M. I never would have seen his death notice had my sister not informed me of an aunt's passing. I am very sorry to hear of his death, I know nothing of how his life has been since high school. I hope he did not suffer.
Sincerely and with deepest condolences,...

Steve-
I will miss you. I grew to know you better over these last few years than I had our entire lives. As I did so, I learned a lot - about you, our faith, the true meaning of life and about myself.

I know you are with God and Dad and at peace. I look forward to seeing you someday and in the meantime, I hope to make you proud.

Love,

Nan

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.