John Herbert Shippee

Commander John H. Shippee, USNR (Ret.) passed away on 25 th of August 2025 in Lafayette, IN, at the age of 92.

John was born in Kenosha, WI on 27th December 1932. Reared in Kenosha and Detroit, MI, he attended Purdue University with a NJ-ROTC scholarship. He was a student member and active alumni of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity as well as a Team Manager for the Purdue Men's Football Team. He graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy.

John married the love of his life, Elizabeth Carolyn Shippee on 07 September 1955 and began their 65 years together.

John began Navy flight training in Pensacola, FL in September 1955 and earned his Wings of Gold on the 7th of December 1956. He flew the Douglas A-1 Skyraider from the deck of an aircraft carrier, day and night, until he transitioned into the Navy Reserve which found him flying transport aircraft in support of the Vietnam War. He often told aviation stories of how he flew under the San Francisco Bay Bridge or brought fresh lobsters from Maine or buzzed his parents in Tucson, AZ at the controls of a Grumman F-8F Bearcat. He was especially proud of his Purdue University fraternity brothers and classmates who were the first to walk on the moon.

John's 25 year career at Fairfield Manufacturing began as an Industrial Engineer and he rose through the ranks to VP Sales & Marketing. When the company was purchased by Rexnord, Inc.

He left Fairfield in 1987 to be President of Hurth Axle North America. He retired in 1992 and joined Wee Engineering as Sales VP.

John served his fellow citizens well as he was also a Council Member of Shadeland Town Council for 8 years. His Council did a Survey of "Priorities". The number one goal of the citizens was to keep the town more rural. Thus the Council enacted a 2-acre minimum parcel which is still part of the town mandate today.

John loved life and "Had the World Whipped". He loved his family and was our biggest cheerleader. Having family follow in his footsteps into military aviation is one of hie proudest legacies. He was the Boy Scout Leader & Assistant Leader for many years and all three sons attained Eagle Scout and his daughter The Girl Scout equivalent of First Class.

He maintained a 40-acre Black Walnut Tree farm in Shadeland and a Northern Wisconsin family lake home. A kid at heart, he holds the family water skiing record of 80 years young!

John is survived by his Sister Dorothy Shippee Steiner of Prescott, AZ; his 4 Children, Lisa Shippee-Hosinski of San Juan Capistrano, CA; James T. Shippee of Los Angeles, CA; Michael J. (Patricia) Shippee of King George, VA and David B. (Melanie) Shippee of Statesville, NC; Eight Grandchildren, and Three Great Grandchildren.

There will be no immediate services.