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.