Francis Alden Shipp
Francis Alden Shipp
March 18, 1938 – October 29, 2024
Alden Shipp was born in Maple Hill, Kansas, to Merle and Helen (Butefish) Shipp. As a young boy, he watched WWII bombers from Forbes Field in Topeka, Kansas fly over his home to the bombing ranges west of Salina. This planted the seed that grew into a life-long passion for aviation.
Alden graduated from Fort Scott High School (Kansas) in 1956. In 1961, Alden graduated from the University of Missouri. While at the University of Missouri, he met and married the love of his life, Joyce Pricer. After graduation, they found themselves teaching school in Quincy, Illinois.
Alden chose to forgo a graduate degree in education and left teaching in 1966 to pursue a career in aviation. After flying professionally for one year in Urbana, Illinois, Alden and Joyce returned to Quincy, where Alden accepted a corporate pilot position with Moorman’s Feed Company. Alden flew for Moorman’s for 27 years, retiring in 1996 as the head of the Aviation Department. After retiring from Moorman’s, he flew for Quincy Newspapers, Inc., and fully retired from his aviation career in 2002.
For 25 years, Alden and Joyce lived in their country home east of Quincy, raising their children, horses, and Saint Bernards. In 2002, they moved to Lucas, Kansas, and returned to Quincy in 2008. They enjoyed living in their home on the bluff for many years, overlooking the Quincy Bay and the Mississippi River.
Alden had the heart of a teacher, even after leaving education. In the 1960s, he was a founding member of the Quincy Flying Club. He was the first advisor of Aviation Explorer Post 480, located at Haerr Field in Taylor, Missouri. During the 1970s and 1980s, Alden was involved in many local community functions. Alden was a founding leader of the Adams County Equestrians 4H Club. Alden and Joyce were active in Marriage Encounter, TEC, and Cursillo. He enjoyed volunteering for the American Red Cross and Blessing Hospital. In addition, Alden coordinated the Jingle Bell Walk for Arthritis for many years.
Following his father Merle’s (W0IYF) love for amateur radio, Alden (WB9WAJ) earned his amateur radio license. He was an active Western Illinois Amateur Radio Club member and participated in several Field Day events. Alden was a lifelong radio-control airplane enthusiast. He was the contest director for two of the largest national RC sailplane competitions in Muncie, Indiana, and Lake Wilson, Kansas.
Alden and Joyce were members of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Quincy, Illinois. Alden was a man of faith and loved singing with Joyce in the church choir. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Alden’s faith was anchored in Jesus Christ. This was the foundation of his love for his family. Alden will be greatly missed.
Alden was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his bride of 65 years, Joyce (Pricer) Shipp, daughter Kate (Steve) Sanders of Quincy, son Bruce (June) Shipp of Poplar Grove, IL, three grandsons, David (Beth) Stegeman of Chicago, IL, Zachary Shipp of Roscoe, IL, Alexander (Sierra) Shipp of Greenville, SC, Stephenie Banks of Urbana, IL, and three great-grandchildren, Kamylle Banks, Trinity Banks, and Tirana Banks.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 9:30 at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and at 10:00 at the Church of St. Peter. Interment in St. Boniface Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday evening, November 1, 2024 from 4:00 until 6:00 PM at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to the Alden Shipp Aviation Scholarship through the Poplar Grove Aviation Education Association, 5151 Orth Road Ste A-1, Poplar Grove, IL 61065.
www.wingsandwheelsmuseum.org.
The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Joyce, Alden was such a great guy. Always had a smile and was a pleasure to be around. We often remember and chuckle about his folks leaving the lawn chairs at Bennett Springs for us. Our sympathies to you and your family.
Rick and Judy Haugh
My sympathy to your family. I looked up to Alden–a great pilot. He was often at Haerr Field when I was learning to fly.
Kate ,
We are so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing . Our sympathy to you & your entire family .
Your friends from The Ladies of the Blue Knights ❤️
So very sorry to read this. Alden was just a wonderful, kind man. He will be greatly missed.
Joyce and Katie,
We are so sorry for your loss of a great husband and father. David, I am sorry that you have lost your grandfather. I am sure the whole family is experiencing this loss but all will have wonderful memories to share forever! Our sympathy and prayers for all of you!
Joy and Richard Jurrens
So sorry to read of Alden’s passing. Knowing him from Moorman’s and from my late husband, Lester, who was always happy and enjoyed flying with Alden from Moorman’s. I remember enjoying talking to him about flying. He will be greatly missed. (((Hugs!)))
To my good friend Steve Sanders, his Wife Katie, an Major Bruce. So SO sorry for your loss. Steve and I worked together on QFD for years and I learned a lot from Steve. I remember when Bruce was stationed at the same Air Force Base as my Daughter, he was in Quincy, found out we were going to mail my Daughter’s Christmas, Bruce said he would pick it up and take them to her. Bruce did. He scared my Daughter to death LOL. A Major to her Rank
A good friend to Steve, Katie and Thank you Bruce
I am overjoyed for Alden as he is with his Lord and Savior yet my heart aches for Joyce, Kate, Bruce and the rest of the family. What wonderful memories of keeping my pony at their barn and sledding down the hill onto the pond. The only time I ever saw my own mother on a sled!! May God grant you comfort in his loss and assurance you will see him again.
Joyce— Our thoughts, prayers, and love.
To the Shipp family , so sorry for your loss. Alden was a good man and I enjoyed our association. My thoughts and prayers are with you.