Gary Edmund Shippy

Gary E. Shippy, age 83 of Ionia, passed away December 12, 2025 at University of Michigan Health West in Wyoming. The son of George Ross Bernard & Celestia (Den Houten) Shippy, he was born on December 21, 1941 in Grand Rapids. On May 31, 1963 in Wyoming, he married Lorraine Anne Magnan, and together they enjoyed over sixty-two years of marriage and raised two daughters.

Gary was a graduate of Kelloggsville High School and took over Shippy’s Texaco where he perfected his ability to rig, alter, and plumb any and everything. His own MacGyver, there was absolutely nothing Gary couldn’t master or improve.

Every year to celebrate their anniversary, Gary & Lorraine would venture north to the St. Ignace Car Show. Over the years, this has become a family event and their daughters, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren look forward to the adventure.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George & Celestia Shippy; a daughter, Rebecca Ann McClellan; and his sister and brother-in-law, Georgia & Claude Carter.

Surviving are his wife, Lorraine Anne Shippy of Ionia; a daughter, Catherine & Daniel VanDyke of Sparta; five grandchildren, Bethani Campbell & Keith Vandenakker, Jessica & Trevor Petroelje, Kaitlyn Dobbrastine & Mike Rizor, Lucas VanDyke, and Sean Campbell & Taylor Scheuerman; six great-grandchildren, Kennedy, Grayson, Lena, Oakleigh, Marley, and Zelda, and several nieces and nephews.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Gary’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory or photo, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com

Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Christiansen's Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, (616) 754-5638.