Mr. Stuart Milton “Stu” Shippy, 84, of Rochester, was surrounded by his loving family when passed away at 1:49 p.m., Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at his residence.

On December 23, 1932, Stuart was born in Kendallville. He was the treasured son of Emmett and Mildred Johnson Shippy. Growing up he shared his childhood with four sisters. In 1950 he graduated at age 17 from New Carlisle High School. Stuart was among the top ten academically. During his high school years he was remembered for his excellence, speed and accuracy in typing and short-hand. An avid reader and life longer learner, he studied metallurgy thru the years.

Patriotism beckoned and Stuart answered the call serving with the United States Navy for a four year stint, during the Korean War. One of Stuart’s first missions was initiated in San Diego shipping out to Japan. Stationed in Pearl Harbor, Stuart was second in command on the ship in his office next to the captain. He garnered high security clearances and was privileged to top secret information only available to a select few. During this time he also attended Yeoman school.

In Elkhart on February 26, 1959, Stuart married the love of his life, Janet Sue Leazenby. They shared 58 years of life’s adventures. From their union came four wonderful children, three daughters and a son. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of thirteen grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren.

A farmer at heart with a lifelong passion for agriculture, Stuart was initially exposed to the farming scene as a youngster. He grew up riding and sharing adventures with his black quarter horse named Chet. He and his father, Emmett shared an interest in gardening, livestock and crop farming.

It was during his early married years, when South Bend’s Bendix closed during the Reagan years, ironically the opportunity was opened to relocate. After commuting round trip daily from South Bend to Rochester’s Torx, for nearly a year, a beautiful homestead west and south of Rochester was available. Stuart and Janet seized the moment and moved their young family to the country. It was a dream come true and the perfect place to allow their children to grow up. Paired with his enjoyment for ag, he was dedicated to the Torx-Textron Corporation for 25 years retiring in 1966.

An adventurer, Stuart sailed from New York City to Florida. He loved the feeling lf the freedom while riding his 1975 Harley-Davidson 1200 Super Glide. This shiny jet black bike was trimmed with yellow and orange flames and presented to him by Janet. Gifted with his hands, Stuart was a self-taught restoration artist. He was especially proud of his 1963 Avanti and his 1957 Golden Hawk Studebaker a coveted rare treasure.

The Shippy family enjoyed all of their livestock friends. From Trixie the pony, the steers, chickens, rabbits, goats roosters and pigs they provided all with happy memories. The annual planting of the truck patch garden was led by the efforts of Stu and his son Brian. The maintenance, was shared by Janet and the girls too. Fall brought on the bountiful harvest from potatoes and popcorn to squash, tomatoes and popcorn. Many memories were made with Dad pulling the hayrides with his coveted yellow Minneapolis Moline. In recent years Stuart incorporated an orchard boasting pears and apples and a vineyard loaded with juicy grapes. He was very proud of the wine and champagne he produced for family use.

As an American sportsman, Stuart was a lifelong hunter, fisherman and trapper. In more recent years Stuart oversaw the construction of a pond. He was an avid beekeeper, teaching the finer art to grandson Jason. As friends of the bees, they were always attired in the keepers garb. He shared the honey with family and special friends.

The evening before his passing to eternal life, the Shippy family, with all four generations present gave Grandpa Stu the perfect send off. The patriarch, a true patriot always conveyed a great love for his country. Together led by Janet they looked after him, enjoyed a cookout and picnic. After the cloak of darkness fell, they strategically let off fireworks just outside his picture window for all to enjoy.

Left to cherish the memory of Stuart are his wife, Janet, three daughters: Brenda Hughes, Debra Schaffer, Candace K. Patton and husband Bobby; a son: Brian D. Shippy and wife Pamela, all of Rochester; 13 grandchildren: James David Hughes and wife Autumn, Lindsey Randall and husband Terry, Jason Brown and wife Sabrina, Travis Nicklaus and wife Cassandra, Jessica Beatty and husband Logan, Morgan Strunk and husband William, Tara Zimmerman and husband Aaron, Britney Flory and husband Nathan, Brandon Shippy and wife Staci, Bobby Lee Patton II and wife Darci, Amanda Sue Patton, Jonathan Stuart Patton, Kyle Lee Jackson; 25 great grandchildren: Krystal, Shayde, Rosalie, Alexander, Elizabeth, Briana, Cadence, Paitynn, Roman, Emma, Riley, Ciara, twins: Hayden and Hunter, born on their great grandpa’s birthday, Ava, Athena, Aaden, Kendall, Brayson, Kinley, Caedra, Zhayden, Haisley, Makenna, Wyatt; three sisters: Janis Swank and husband Don of Kendallville, Betty Chapman and husband Jerry of New Carlisle, Susan Walters and husband Ed of South Bend; best friends Naomi and Leon Milcherska and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Stuart in death are his parents, a sister, Patricia Wolff in 2016, close friends: Tom Ness, Russell Nickerson and George Jergowski.

A celebration of the life of Stuart M. Shippy will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th Street, Rochester. Friends may visit with the family from 4-8 p.m. on Monday and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home on Tuesday. Chaplain Jason See will officiate. Military rites will be conducted by the Fulton County Veteran’s Honor Guard and the US Navy Honors Team. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at the Lakeview Cemetery of Kendallville.

Memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 east 33rd St., New York, New York, 10016. Electronic expressions of sympathy may be made to his family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.