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Addison Cemetery

Mary Todd (Jennings) Shipley was born on Dec. 20, 1862, near Ursina, Somerset County, PA, the daughter of John R. and Martha (Knight) Jennings Sr  

She appears to have been named after the nation's First Lady at the time, Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President Abraham Lincoln.

In about 1880, when she was age 18, Mary married 29-year-old Charles "Walter" Shipley (May 10, 1851-1927), the son of Levi and Catherine (Linderman) Shipley of Maple Summit. He was 11 years older than his bride.

Some six years before, when Walter was age 23 and unmarried, he and his future bride's cousin Martha Emma "Matt" Minerd produced a child together. The baby was named Laura Jane "Jennie" Minerd. Martha sued Walter for support, and the girl was primarily raised by Martha's parents. Laura Jane grew up to become a historian of the Minerd family.

The Shipleys had 10 children of their own -- Ellen Shipley, Lucretia "Ruth" Dawson, Alverda Maude Yeagley, Charles Alvin Shipley, Albert Clarence Shipley, Norman Floyd Shipley, Robert Clement Shipley, Edna Odelia Shipley, Harrison Raymond "Harry" Shipley and Otto Lee Shipley. Sadly, their eldest child Ellen died at the tender age of six weeks in 1878, and one other child passed away during the parents' lifetime.

Walter worked as a farmer and also as a blacksmith for the H.C. Frick Coke Co. They lived at a town that today no longer exists -- Victoria, Fayette County, PA. Situated on a flatland along the Youghiogheny River, Victoria is now part of Ohiopyle State Park, which has been preserved for the public to enjoy. 

Western Maryland Railroad depot, Ohiopyle

Addison Cemetery

In the year 1900 the family lived in the borough of Ohiopyle, Fayette County. Also in their household lived Mary's brother, John, who at age 27 was widowed. 

Walter and Mary separated sometime before 1910. At the time, he was a foreman on a railroad "work train." He went to Newell, Fayette County, to live with his brother in law, Robert E. Lee Jennings. 

By 1910, when the federal census was taken, the Shipleys apparently had reconciled, and were living together in or near Victoria, where Walter was a farmer. That year, their children Clarence, Odelia, Harry and Otto were residing in the household, along with seven year old granddaughter Charlotta Shipley. The census indicates that they owned their own farm.  They were members of the Christian Church.

When the federal census again was enumerated in 1920, Walter and Mary were living together near Ohiopyle. In their dwelling that year were 22-year-old son Harry and 17-year-old granddaughter Charlotte. The record shows that Walter and Harry were farmers. Living nearby were the families of Andrew Shipley, Jefferson Shipley, Leroy Shipley and Lewis Shipley, but their connection to Walter is not yet known.

The Meyersdale (PA) Republican once observed that Walter "was a fine type of Pennsylvania farmer, industrious and honest in all his dealings, with his fellowmen; a devoted husband and father, and reared a fine family." Circa 1925, residing on a farm near Sipe Station, between Meyersdale and Ohiopyle, said the Republican, he "sustained damages of over $500 to his orchard by the heavy wind of last Sunday, a lot of fine trees being blown down."

Connellsville Daily Courier

Walter died at home in Stewart Township of acute heart failure, with influenza contributing to his decline, at the age of 75 on April 15, 1927. An obituary in the Republican noted that he had been "in comparatively good health for a man of his age" but had been "suddenly stricken on Friday morning." Funeral services were held in the home of his married daughter Alverda Yeaghley in Confluence, with Rev. H.M. Jeffries officiating. Accompanied by Olive Reynolds, Mrs. J.H. Colflesh and Mrs. Charles K. Beggs sang "several beautiful selections." Pallbearers included Charles Shipley, Otto Shipley, Harry Shipley, Lee Dawson, Charles Dawson and John Rayman Jennings. He is buried in the Addison Cemetery in Somerset County. 

In the 1930s, laborers with the Works Progress Administration recorded all the burials at Addison Cemetery, and prepared a long typed list of the names and dates. Today, this list is available online on the Somerset County GenWeb Archives, with the page containing the reference to Walter found on page 3. Distant cousins of Mary's, Joseph and Nancy (Stuck) Minard, also rest in this ancient burying ground dating to before the Civil War. 

Mary outlived Walter by almost two decades. When she was 77, her children held a reunion in her honor at Victoria, in mid-July 1939. The Connellsville Daily Courier ran a lengthy article reporting the details:

The event was attended by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, representing four generations. Children present were as follows: Charles Shipley and family of McKeesport, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Shipley and family of Newell, Mrs. Alverda Yeagley and son, Wendell, Odelia Shipley and Robert Shipley, all of Confluence, Harry Shipley and daughter, Alma Jean, at home. Grandchildren were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jewart and sons of Glassport, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Little of Johnstown, Miss Bettie Shipley of Barnesville, Ohio. Visitors included Mr. and Mrs. William Herwick of Stewarton, Mrs. Curtis Rugg, George Rugg, and daughter, Hilda, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hall of Mill Run, and Lester Shipley of Bidwell. The youngest person present was Phyllis Shipley, 18 months. A dinner was served by Mrs. Alverda Yeagley. Her aides were Miss Odelia Shipley, Mrs. Thomas Jewart and Mrs. Jacob Little. The day was spent in swimming, biking and playing games. Music was by Harry Shipley and Robert Shipley of Bidwell. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hall and Hilda Rugg of Mill Run sang.

At the age of 82, having endured problems with her heart valves and kidneys, Mary passed away on March 23, 1945, at her home in Bidwell. She was laid to rest beside her husband at Addison. The Connellsville Daily Courier ran a brief obituary, saying she was survived by 23 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. 

Eventually occupying the grave plot would be sons Harry, Floyd and Clarence Shipley and daughter Odelia Shipley. We are grateful to volunteers with the Old Petersburg/Addison Historical Society for sharing the Shipley burial information. 

The Shipleys' plot of graves at Addison Cemetery

~ Daughter Lucretia Ruth (Shipley) Dawson ~

Daughter Lucretia Ruth Shipley (1882-1929) was born on Jan. 20, 1882 near Percy, Uniontown, Fayette County. 

She married Milton S. Dawson ( ? -1965). In about 1903, they relocated to Glassport, Allegheny County, at an address of 715 Vermont Street, where they remained for 24 years.

Did this couple have sons Lee Dawson and Charles Dawson of Glassport who were pallbearers at their grandfather's funeral in 1927?

In her 40s, Lucretia suffered from chronic heart lesions. Just 14 days shy of her 47th birthday, on Jan. 6, 1929, she succumbed to bronchial pneumonia with cardiac asthma in Glassport. She was placed into eternal rest in Mt. Vernon Cemetery in McKeesport.

Milton survived his wife by more than 35 years. He passed away in 1965 and also is interred in Mt. Vernon Cemetery.

~ Daughter Alverda Maude (Shipley) Yeagley ~

Daughter Alverda Maude Shipley (1884-1961) was born on Jan. 13, 1884 in Fayette County, possibly Uniontown.

In about 1904, when she was 20 years of age, she was joined in wedlock with 22-year-old entrepreneur Charles Ellsworth Yeagley (March 4, 1878-1932), son of Fred Yeagley of Confluence. A native of Confluence, Charles and his parents had relocated to Patton, PA where they joined the Presbyterian Church before returning to their original home town.

The Yeagleys produced one son, Wendell Edmund Yeagley. 

Charles E. Yeagley and his activities pictured in a 1973 Confluence centennial booklet. Clockwise from upper left: on a mule wagon delivery; with the large stone for the DAR memorial tablet; his Liberty Theater; and 1898 hot air balloon ride

Six years before their marriage, in 1898 Charles was at the center of a Fourth of July stunt when he made a hot air balloon flight. Said one account, 

The flight was an extra added attraction for the yearly 4th of July celebration that was held in the local park after the parade that was headed by the Confluence Community Band. The balloon flight was made from back of the park next to B. & O. Railroad. It was a hot air balloon which had to be filled with gas. The gas was created by building a fire at open end of the balloon. When it was completely filled with gas the balloon was let go and the flight started. The balloon went up about a mile and a half at which time the occupant jumped out and pulled the ripcord on the parachute, which brought him safely back to earth.

Booklet picturing Charles

Alverda and Charles spent the remainder of their lives in Confluence. In 1902 he opened his Yeagley Steam Bottling Works in the Bird Building on Logan Place, then in 1909 relocated it to 454 Latrobe Avenue. "Pop and ice cream was shipped by rail and delivered by truck over a large area of Somerset County, Fayette County and Garrett County, Maryland," said the booklet entitled Confluence Centennial 1873-1973: Record of a Century, in which he is named on several pages. "They went out of business in 1924. This industry was of great importance to the community."

Circa 1905, he was named in the Turkeyfoot News when purchasing a two horsepower gasoline engine for an ice cream plant he had opened. "this branch of Mr. Yeagley's business has grown wonderfully since the season opened," said the article, "and the reason of it is, he makes an excellent ice cream and everybody knows it because he advertises in the Turkeyfoot News." Later that year he acquired a DeLava cream separator. 

Charles went on to fame as "one of the leading businessmen of the Turkeyfoot region," said the Meyersdale Republican:

After the family returned to Confluence, Mr. Yeagley remained here for a short time, and then went to Connellsville, where he entered the restaurant and confectionary business, remaining there for several years, when he again returned to Confluence. About thirty years ago he opened a restaurant and poolroom in Confluence, which he had successfully operated since. Some years after opening the restaurant, he opened the Yeagley Bottling Works and Ice Cream Factory, and for a number of years was very successful in the operation of this plant. In 1915 he opened a coal mine in Fayette County, operating it very successfully for several years. In 1916 he erected a large building, housing the Liberty Theater and had since that time been owner and operator of this theater. About ten years ago, he had a large plot of ground in the southern part of town surveyed, and opened up the Yeagley Addition, and was instrumental in having a number of new homes built in that section.... Mr. Yeagley was one of the most progressive business men in the community, and his loss has created a void that will be very hard to fill. He was of a charitable disposition, and it will never be known how many of his townspeople he furnished aid in times of sickness, suffering and distress. He was a kind and loving husband and a good father, and will be missed by a host of friends and acquaintances in all walks of life. He was for many years a member of Pleasant Valley Lodge, No. 72, Knights of Pythias, and also for a number of years a member of the Confluence tent, Knights of the Maccabees.

Charles in 1918 opened a movie theater on Logan Place. "This was in the days of the silent picture," said the Confluence Centennial booklet. "He operated this theater until 1932. His son, Wendell Yeagley, became the operator and continued in operation until January 3, 1970. Due to outdoor movies, television and other conditions, the theater discontinued its services in entertainment in this community. It was a great loss to the town because many people enjoyed the type of movies shown and received much pleasure and relaxation in attending the movies." The film drawing the largest gross revenue over the years was in 1956 for a six-day showing of Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston, Anne Baxter and Yul Brynner.

When the Great Crossings Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a tablet embedded in rock in town in 1929, naming the Revolutionary War soldiers from the area, Charles and Kathryn Smith and Charles McMillan posed for a photograph in front of the structure. This image later was published in the Confluence Centennial booklet, as were images of his bakery and confectionary, pool and lunch room and ice house.   

Charles' health declined in the last five years of his life. He was paralyzed by a stroke the day after Christmas 1931 and was confined to bed until death two months later, on Feb. 25, 1932. An obituary in the Republican noted that his survivors included sisters Laura Clouse and Ella Yeagley and brothers Oscar Yeagley and Hagan Yeagley. Burial was in Addison Cemetery, with Rev. Morgan officiating. His pallbearers included Dr. H. P. Meyers. George A. Frantz, J. Lewis Ream, Robert J. Frantz, Harvey B. Tissue and Earle T. Hall.

Alverda lived for a widow for nearly 30 more years. Suffering from chronic brain syndrome and fever, she was admitted to Somerset State Hospital. She passed away there at the age of 77 on Jan. 25, 1961, and was laid to rest in the Addison Cemetery.

Son Wendell Edmund Yeagley (1906-1995) was born on Valentine's Day 1906 in Confluence. As a young man he attended the Kiski Prep School and University of Pittsburgh. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth E. Black (Feb. 21, 1913-2003), daughter of Charles "Bert" and Daisy (James) Black. She had attended Bethany College and Drexel University. They produced an only son, Charles E. Yeagley. Wendell served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Later, he took over the operation of his late father's Liberty Theater of Confluence. The Yeagleys were longtime members of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Confluence. The theater continued in operation until Jan. 3, 1970. "Due to outdoor movies, television and other conditions, the theater discontinued its services in entertainment in this community," said the Confluence Centennial booklet. "It was a great loss to the town because many people enjoyed the type of movies shown and received much pleasure and relaxation in attending the movies." The film drawing the largest gross revenue over the years was in 1956 for a six-day showing of Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston, Anne Baxter and Yul Brynner. In 1973, the couple was named in an acknowledgement of supporters in the centennial booklet. On March 13, 1995, while a patient at Somerset Community Hospital, Wendell passed into eternity at the age of 89. Interment was in Addison Cemetery, with Rev. John Palko leading the funeral service, and an obituary printed in the Somerset Daily American. Elizabeth survived her husband by eight years. She moved to Florida to be near her son and family. She died in Brandon, FL on July 9, 2003, at the age of 90.

• Grandson Charles E. Yeagley (1946-2006) was born in about 1946 in Confluence. He was wed to Linda Vogel (Nov. 6, 1946-2004), daughter of Raymond and Pearl Vogel. She is believed to have brought a stepson into the union, John Kelly. Charles and Linda bore two children of their own, Jason David Yeagley and Elizabeth Ann Matheny. The family settled in about 1987 in Brandon, FL and stayed for good. Said the Somerset Daily American, Charles "enjoyed photography and painting." Horror enveloped the family at the death of their son Jason in a Taser-shooting incident with law enforcement in August 2004. Charles died in Brandon on March 31, 2006 at the age of 60. Linda outlived her husband by 18 years and remained in Brandon. An obituary said that she "was sassy, funny and always spoke her mind. She loved listening to music (specifically Hall and Oates, Lionel Richie and Phil Collins), gardening, shopping, and playing Scrabble and card games." She passed away at the age of 77 on Aug. 6, 2024. Interment of her cremains was in Serenity Meadows Memorial Park. The family requested that any memorial contributions be made to the Parkinson's Foundation.

  Step-great-grandson John Kelly ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 2024.

  Great-grandson Jason David Yeagley (1972-2004) was born in 1972 in Redwood, CA. He entered into marriage with Georgina ( ? - ? ). Together they produced two sons -- Nicholas Yeagley and Noah Yeagley. The family settled in Brandon, FL. Then in late 2000 or early 2001, they relocated to Lakeland, FL, where Jason managed a body shop. Sadly, at the age of 32, Jason was involved in an Aug. 26, 2004 incident where he walked into traffic on U.S. Route 92 and acted "erratically." A Polk County sheriff's deputy "tried to guide him out of traffic," reported the Tampa Bay Times. "Yeagley refused. The deputy shot him with a Taser when he grew more violent, then shocked him again when he continued to struggle against her attempts to handcuff him." After going into cardiac arrest, Jason was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center and died later that day. His obituary was published in the Lakeland Ledger, and his remains sleep in Glen Abbey Memorial Gardens in Auburndale. But a county medical examiner ruled that the cause of death was the Xanax drug in his system and not the weapon, even though the widow claimed her husband had been alcohol and drug free for seven years. Georgina in late 2005 sued the manufacturer, Taser International Inc., claiming that the M26 model used in the shooting was "defective and unreasonably dangerous."

  Great-granddaughter Elizabeth Ann Yeagley is believed to be a 2000 graduate of Bloomingdale High School. She wed Kevin Matheny. Their family of offspring is thought to include Alexander Scott Matheny and Zachary Matheny.

Charles A. Shipley. Courtesy Janelle Ford

~ Son Charles Alvin Shipley ~

Son Charles Alvin Shipley (1886-1971) was born on March 29, 1886 in Mt. Braddock, Fayette County. He was of medium height and build, with blue eyes and brown hair.

At the age of 24, in 1910, Charles is believed to have boarded in the McKeesport residence of Bennett and Malinda Mahan and to have earned a living as a streetcar conductor.

He is said to have been married five times. His first bride was Corinne B. McCaw (1894- ? ), daughter of Irish immigrants Andrew and Rhoda (Janeway) McCaw of County Antrim. Their known children were Charles Walker Shipley and James Robert Shipley and possibly also Virginia Mounts.

Charles Shipley, Wiley Avenue, McKeesport, 1928 - Courtesy Janelle Ford

When Charles furnished personal information to the federal government in 1918, while registering for the World War I military draft, he and Corinne made their home at 420 Marshall Street in McKeesport, near Pittsburgh. His employment at that time was as a shearman's helper at the Woods Mill of American Sheet and Tin Plate Company, part of United States Steel Corporation, in McKeesport. He continued that occupation for several years, and in 1920 his younger brother and sister in law Otto "Lee" and Edna Shipley lived under their roof for a time before relocating to Beaver Falls, PA.

The marriage fell apart in the 1918-1919 timeframe, and Corinne moved with the children back into her parents' home in McKeesport as shown in the 1920 census. By 1935, she had relocated to San Gabriel, Los Angeles County, CA, and her sons eventually joined her there. Census records for 1940 show her as widowed with the married name "Trow" and earning a living working with a bird seed business. She also took in several lodgers in 1940. Corinne later wedded entertainer Edwin "Ed" Ford (1888-1957) and in 1950 resided in Alhambra, CA. Circa November 1973 she was still living in California and named in the Pittsburgh Press obituary of a brother.

West Virginia records show that on Dec. 16, 1921, while living in McKeesport, the 36-year-old Charles eloped to Wellsburg, Brooke County, WV to marry 21-year-old Elizabeth Ludwig (1900- ? ). Rev. Allen T. Shaw led the nuptials. While a native of Outcrop, PA, she also was a resident of McKeesport at the time.

Then on Sept. 6, 1927, at age 41, Charles wedded his third bride, 28-year-old Genevieve Hummie (1899- ? ). The ceremony also was held in Wellsburg, WV, with Rev. H.L. Wiggins of the Christian Church officiating. Born in Clarksburg, Harrison County, WV, Genevieve lived in McKeesport at the time of their union. Their marriage dissolved within a year or two.

Another of Charles' spouses -- by 1930 -- was Edith Elizabeth (Brady) Ritenour (1901- ? ). Edith was divorced from truck driver Harry Ritenour ( ? - ? ) and brought three children to the marriage -- Harry Ritenour Jr., Dorothy Naomi Ritenour and William E. Ritenour. 

The couple went on to have several more children of their own, among them Alvin Jennings Shipley, Donald Maurice Shipley, Chloe Ann Rzepniak, Daniel Wayne Shipley and Janet Arlene Shank.

Circa 1935-1940, the United States Census shows the combined family living under one roof along Herbert Street in North Versailles, Allegheny County, and Charles still working as a steel mill shearman.

Charles died in February 1971 and was buried in Restland Memorial Park in Monroeville, in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh.

Edith outlived him by two decades. She made her home in McKeesport and passed away in November 1991.

Son Charles Walter Shipley (1913-1972?) was born on or about Jan. 1, 1913 in McKeesport. He relocated to Southern California with his mother and in 1940 worked as an apprentice machinist with a refinery equipment company in San Gabriel, Los Angeles County. He was united in marriage with Olga Kira (May 17, 1910-1999), daughter of Daniel and Anastasia Kira of McKeesport. Their two known sons were Charles Walter Shipley Jr. and Paul Shipley. Circa 1957, when his stepfather Edwin Ford died, Charles was named in the Los Angeles Times obituary and was residing in Rosemead, CA. Research is underway to determine if he is the same "Charles W. Shipley" -- a native of Pennsylvania -- who died on Sept. 16, 1972 at the age of 59 with burial in Paradise Cemetery in Butte County, CA. Olga outlived her spouse by more than a quarter of a century and married a second time to Clarence Lawson ( ? - ? ). He brought two stepsons into the family, Eldon Lawson and David Lawson. A Chico news story said that she "was a homemaker and worked in the defense industry. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading, sewing, traveling and family. She succumbed at the age of 89 on July 6, 1999. An obituary in the Chico Enterprise Record said that her obsequies were held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the corner of East and Mariposa Avenues.  

• Grandson Charles Walter Shipley Jr. (1947-1999) was born on July 8, 1947 in Alhambra, CA. He produced a daughter, Samantha Shipley. After high school graduation, during the Vietnam War, Charles joined the U.S. Navy and served from 1965 to 1969. Later, he received an A.A. degree in science from Butte College, and also attended received additional education at Chico State University. The Chico (CA) Enterprise-Record said that he was employed for more than two decades as a custodian at the Jay Partridge School of the Chico Unified School District and that he "enjoyed listening to music on his custom-built stereo system." During those years, he was a primary caregiver for his elderly mother. Charles resided in Durham, CA toward the end of his life on Cummings Lane. Tragically, at the age of 52, during a heated argument,  he was shot and killed by his live-in girlfriend Shelley Slightom on Sept. 20, 1999. Police found him on the living room floor with a bullet wound in the chest from a .357 caliber gun. When interrogated, the girlfriend said the weapon had gone off accidentally as she was pointing it at him and telling him to "stay back." The killing was headline news in the Enterprise Record. His first cousin Lorene Eagleson testified at the trial.

• Grandson Paul Shipley dwelled in Rosemead, CA in 1999. Nothing more about him is known.

Son James Robert Shipley (1917-1989) was born on May 22, 1917 in McKeesport. He moved with his mother and older brother to Southern California circa 1940. At the age of 23, in 1940, living in San Gabriel, Los Angeles County, he was employed with an aircraft company as an upholsterer. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army. Circa 1940, James tied the knot with Ruth Eleanor Warren (Oct. 16, 1919-1983), daughter of Marvin Haley and Jessie Mae (Sherrife) Warren of Raymond, Potter County, PA. They stayed together for 43 years until the separation of death. A trio of offspring borne to the couple were James A. Shipley, Lorene Eagleson and Faith Mitchell. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1950, the family resided in El Monte, Los Angeles County, CA, with him working as a mechanic in an automotive garage and Ruth as proprietor of a cafe. The Shipleys' home in 1957 was in Arcadia, CA followed in 1965 by a move to Paradise, CA. James is believed to have operated his own business circa 1974, Paragon Realty, while Ruth earned a living for 35 years as an accountant. Ruth died at the age of 63 on April 15, 1983. The Paradise Post printed an obituary, saying "She moved to the ridge 19 years ago from Arcadia and last worked for Fisci Bros. Construction. She was a member of Chicago Bible Study Fellowship, Women in Construction and was a past member of Paradise Quota Club." Pastor David Sweet, of the Calvary Chapel, preached the funeral sermon. James survived her by nearly six years and was employed at the Pine Bowl bowling alley in Paradise. At the age of 71, he passed away in Enloe Hospital in Butte County, CA on Feb. 11, 1989. An obituary was published in the Enterprise Record, saying "For the last three years, Shipley was involved with the Green Thumb Program at Hospice of the Ridge. He was a musician, pilot and automotive mechanic." He was survived by 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Rev. Sweet again led the rites. They rest for eternity in Paradise Cemetery in Paradise, Butte County, CA.

• Grandson James A. Shipley (1942- ? ) was born in 1942 in California. He lived in Susanville, CA in 1983 and in Jackson, CA in 1989. Nothing more is known about his life.

• Granddaughter Lorene "Renee" Shipley (1943- ? ) was born in about 1943 in California. On April 14, 1962, in Southern California, she wed Roy Allen Eagleson (Aug. 8, 1931-2025), a native of Douglass, KS and the son of Allen Thurman and Myra Ann Eagleson. Three known children in this brood were Denise Pearson, Jolene Clark and Allen Eagleson. Roy was a 1950 graduate of Leon High School and in 1951-1954 served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Korean War. He later moved to California and for three decades was employed by AT&T, with assignments in Los Angeles, Ventura, Ojai and Chico. Their residence in 1983 was in Paradise, CA and in 1989 in Magalia, CA. She is believed to have been a social worker for Butte County Children's Services. Said a newspaper, Roy "had a green thumb and would plant a garden wherever he was living. He enjoyed fishing and at one time made his own fishing poles and lures. Fishing in river, lake or ocean….on foot or in a boat, he was all in. Roy reminisced that he had achieved doing all he wanted to do in this life…even more… like getting his private pilot’s license in June of 1964. He built a house in Magalia, and his final project was refurbishing a home in Paradise completed in 2012…. this last house remained until the devastating Camp Fire of Paradise, Nov 8, 2018, that burned the family home to the ground. After the fire, he and his wife relocated, arriving in Goodyear, Arizona with “allâ€Â� their earthly possessions fitting in their 1995 Isuzu Rodeo along with beloved dog, Biscuit, a Yellow Lab." He was said to have been a compassionate and non-judgmental listener who held doors open for women and allowed others to go before him at mealtime. He often read his Bible cover to cover. Their final home together was in Goodyear, AZ. Roy died on March 23, 2025. His remains were laid to rest in Paradise Cemetery.

  Great-grandson Allen Eagleson ( ? - ? ) grew up in Paradise, CA and was a 1985 graduate of Paradise High School and studied law enforcement at Butte College. On the Fourth of July 1985, in Garden City, NV, he tied the marital cord with Diana Eisenbeiss ( ? - ? ), also of Paradise and the daughter of Gerald and Susan Eisenbeiss. the happy couple was pictured in an announcement in the Paradise (CA) Post. Diana also was a 1985 graduate of Paradise High and also was enrolled at Butte College, studying medical office assistance. Together they produced a family of six -- Brittany Eagleson, Brianne Eagleson, Paris Eagleson, Justin Allen Eagleson, Joshua Eagleson and Israel Eagleson. Tragedy struck the family when, on Aug. 16, 2005, their 17-year old son Justin passed away. The Post obituary said he "will always be remembered for his pure heart and love for his family. He was going to be Senior at Paradise High School. Justin loved music (i.e. 2Pac, The Rolling Stones, and Tim McGraw), sports (i.e. The Kings and the 49ers), his friends, and weight lifting. He enjoyed the outdoors, four-wheeling, hunting, playing poker, and spending time with his family. He was a very loving, sensitive, intelligent, and free-spirited young man." Justin's memorial service was held at Paradise Cemetery with a reception at Magalia Community Church.

• Granddaughter Faith Mary Shipley ( ? - ? ) grew up in Paradise, CA. Circa 1969, at the age of 17, she first married 17-year-old Alan Lloyd Mitchell ( ? - ? ). News of their marriage license was published in the Chico Enterprise Record. They dwelled in Paradise, CA during the 1980s and are believed to be the parents of Scott Mitchell and Stacy Clark. In time, she was united in matrimony with Daniel Lee Antonaros (Feb. 13, 1949-2022), son of Walter Kimon and Romania (Armistice) Antonaros of Inglewood, CA. Their last home together was in Peoria, AZ. Said an obituary, Daniel "lived a full life, rich with adrenaline and responsibility. He was a loving and very kind man that deserved respect. Danny served his country in the United States Air Force and never lost the love he had for flight or airplanes in general. He learned skills like aviation mechanics and underwater wielding. Danny went on to teach a wielding course and certification when he returned home at a local college. While Danny ran his successful trucking business, Antonaros Trucking, he always found spare time to build Harley Davidsons as well as race sprint cars and hydro boats. Some of his best and most talked about memories included summers at Bass Lake with his family... Danny was famous for his jalapeño gravy and biscuits and known for his love of the Green Bay Packers." Sadly, stricken with liver cancer, Daniel died on May 26, 2022.

  Great-grandson Scott Mitchell ( ? - ? )

  Great-granddaughter Stacy wed Greg Clark. Their two children are August Clark and India Clark.

Son Alvin Jennings Shipley (1930-2007) was born on Feb. 3, 1930 in McKeesport. He served as a corporal with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and was a longtime steelworker with the Homestead Works of United States Steel. He married Marlyn J. Dias (March 30, 1936-2025), daughter of Edward and Gertrude (Stearns) Dias of McKeesport. They produced these children -- Michael Don Shipley, Alvin C. Shipley, Raymond L. Shipley, Randy W. Shipley, Robert L. Shipley and Anita Sedlock. They resided in North Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, PA and were members of Park Baptist Church, and Alvin belonged to the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post. Marlyn earned a living with McKeesport Hospital as a supervisor. They were plunged into grief in 1985 at the military death of son Michael in an airline crash en route to Saudi Arabia. Said an obituary of Marlyn, "in her free time she looked forward to playing bingo, writing poems, and completing word search puzzles. Above all, Marlyn was a dedicated Gold Star Mother." At the age of 77, Alvin died in UPMC Shadyside Hospital on May 11, 2007. Rev. David Painter led the funeral service, followed by burial in Penn Lincoln Memorial Park. An obituary was published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Marlyn endured as a widow for another nearly 18 years, with her home in North Huntingdon. She died at the age of 88 on Feb. 20, 2025. Her survivors included 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren

• Grandson Michael Don Shipley (1958-1985) was born on Sept. 13, 1958. He served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army and was engaged in an international peace-keeping mission in Saudi Arabia in 1985. Tragically, on Dec. 12, 1985, while aboard a chartered Arrow Air flight over Gander, Newfoundland, heading from Saudi Arabia to Fort Campbell, KY, the craft exploded and he was killed. There were no survivors from among the 248 U.S. servicemen on the flight. His remains are at rest in Penn Lincoln Memorial Park in North Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County. Over the years, his mother lobbied the federal government to have him declared as "killed in action." In May 2014, he name was printed on a banner placed along a prominent street in North Huntingdon, and his mother quoted in a related story in the Greensburg Tribune-Review.

• Grandson Alvin C. Shipley  ( ? - ? ) served in the U.S. Army in 1976 and was stationed in Germany. Circa 1976, he first married Sandra Seddon ( ? - ? ). At the time of marriage, she was employed by United States Steel Corporation at its Homestead works. Later, by 2008, he was joined in wedlock with Terrynn G. Herrmann ( ? - ? ), daughter of George and Gail (Cook) Herrmann. Circa 2004, the Shipleys  lived in Lincoln Place, PA. Alvin served as a pastor in the 2020s and is known to have officiated the funeral service of his brother-in-law Kent Allen Sedlock in 2021.

• Grandson Raymond L. Shipley ( ? - ? ) was married to or a companion of Linda Keenan ( ? - ? ), daughter of Reid and JoAnne Keenan. He has made his residence in Greensburg, Westmoreland County. Raymond was the father of Marissa Ann Shipley and Jessica Shipley. He grieved at the 2016 death of his 31-year-old daughter Marissa.

  Great-granddaughter Marissa Ann Shipley (1985-2016) was born on Jan. 5, 1985 in Greensburg. She was a companion of Michael G. Villi (July 27, 1980-2015), the son of Michael J. and Denise M. (Monsour) Villi of Jenanette and Greensburg. The couple became the parents of three -- Michael Alvin Villi, Noah Joseph Villi and Landen Villi. They made a dwelling-place in Greensburg. Said an obituary, Michael "worked in road construction as a concrete tester for Union Local No 1058 Laborers. He was a member of the Youngwood Moose Lodge No. 23, liked to camp and fish and loved the outdoors. He was a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Irwin." Michael passed away at the age of 34 on Jan. 30, 2015. His mass of Christian burial was held in the family church, with the remains laid to rest in the church cemetery. Marissa only lived for less than two years after losing the father of her children. Sadness blanketed the family when, at the age of 31, Marissa died on Nov. 27, 2016. Her uncle, Pastor Alvin C. Shipley, led the obsequies. 

  Great-granddaughter Jessica Shipley has been a companion of Daniel Smith.

• Grandson Randy W. Shipley  ( ? - ? ) first was wed to Christine ( ? - ? ). They dwelled in Saltsburg, PA in the 1999-2007 timeframe. Their fortunes turned and in 1999 the pair declared bankruptcy, as reported in the Indiana (PA) Gazette. By 2021, he was married to Janis ( ? - ? ).

• Grandson Robert L. Shipley has resided in North Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County and was there in 2007.

• Granddaughter Anita L. Shipley ( ? - ? ) married Kent Allen Sedlock (April 24, 1955-2021), originally from McKeesport and the son of William and Carlene (Raymer) Sedlock. Their only child was Carly Joy Sedlock. They lived in North Huntingdon. Kent was a 1973 graduate of Elizabeth Forward High School. He was employed over the years by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1919 and as a tree trimmer. He held memberships in the 11th  Ward Welfare Association, Hartford Heights Fire Company, Elizabeth Township Ex Serviceman's Association and the Elizabeth Township Sportsman's Association, and was a benefactor of the National Rifle Association. Sadly, at the age of 65, Kent died on Jan. 26, 2021. 

  Great-granddaughter Carly Joy Sedlock ( ? - ? ) lived in North Huntingdon in 2021. 

Son Donald Maurice Shipley (1931-1999) was born on June 29, 1931. He was united in wedlock with Donna ( ? - ? ). Their offspring were Linda Grissom Maneer, Thomas Shipley, Lorraine Shipley and John Shipley. He lived for years in McKeesport and passed into eternity on Jan. 14, 1999, with burial in Penn Lincoln Memorial Park in North Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County. Inscribed on his bronze memorial tablet at his grave are the words "Alive in Christ." After Donald's death, Donna kept company with William Wehner.

• Granddaughter Linda Shipley (1960-2016) was born on March 12, 1960 in McKeesport. She appears to have been married twice, first to (?) Grissom ( ? - ? ). Their children were Amy McCarthy, Raelyn Meisenbach, Charles Grissom, Samuel Grissom and an unborn baby. Later, she wed Donald Maneer ( ? - ? ). In 2016, her home was in White Oak. Reported a newspaper, Linda "attended the First Evangelical Free Church in McKeesport for 50 years, and was active in Sage's Army in helping to raise awareness of drug addiction. Linda was also active in the Veteran's Wounded Warrior Project as a caregiver. She was a nursing assistant at Bayada Nursing, where she cared for elderly and disabled individuals in their homes." She also enjoyed horses. While reading her Bible at home on Sept. 4, 2016, she suddenly passed away. Funeral services were held at First Evangelical Free Church, with interment in Penn Lincoln Memorial Park.

• Grandson Thomas Shipley (1961-2008) is believed to have been born on June 30, 1961. If so, he died at the age of 47 on Oct. 18, 2008. Interment was in Penn Lincoln Memorial Park, with these words inscribed on his bronze grave marker: "Until we meet again."

• Granddaughter Lorraine Shipley was a companion of Gary Pearsol in 2016-2021, making a residence in White Oak near McKeesport..

• Grandson John Shipley married Allison.

Daughter Chloe Ann Shipley (1932- ? ) was born in about 1932. She married Walter J. "Popeye" Rzepniak ( ? -2008), son of Jan "John" and Blanche (Lopachinski) Rzepniak. He had been married once before, in 1945, to Margaret Caringola ( ? - ? ), with the marriage ending in divorce circa 1957. The couple were the parents of nine children -- Linda Evanko, Charles Hughes, Rhonda Alcott, Thomas Hughes, Daniel Hughes, Darlene Bruce, Sharon Ferencz, Walter Rzepniak and Leigh Ann Taylor. They lived for many years in North Versailles, where Walter was a self-employed carpenter. Walter died at the age of 86 on Aug. 8, 2008. Burial was in Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park. He was survived by 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, as noted in an obituary in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

• Granddaughter Linda married (?) Evanko.

• Grandson Charles Hughes wedded Betty.

• Granddaughter Rhonda was joined in matrimony with Robert "Bob" Alcott ( ? - ? ), son of Elizabeth "Betty" Warren and stepson of Robert G. Rose of North Huntingdon.

• Grandson Thomas Hughes ( ? - ? )

• Grandson Daniel Hughes was united in wedlock with Margaret.

• Granddaughter Darlene married William "Bill" Bruce.

• Granddaughter Sharon was wed to Thomas "Tom" Ferencz. In 2015, the couple resided in Elizabeth Township.

• Grandson Walter Rzepniak was joined in wedlock with Andrea Deschamps, daughter of Roger M. and Helen (Farnsworth) Deschamps of Plum Borough. He is believed to have been pictured in a November 2001 edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, painting a 25-foot-tall snowman which was to be mounted on top of a McDonald's restaurant at Liberty Avenue and Stanwix Street in Pittsburgh as part of the city's Light-Up Night.

• Granddaughter Leigh Ann was united in holy matrimony with Troy Taylor.

Son Daniel Wayne Shipley (1936-2010) was born on June 5, 1936. He resided in McKeesport in young manhood. Circa 1956, he married Nancy Lynne Ulm ( ? - ? ) of 2828 Capitol Street in town. At some point they divorced. He made his residence in White Oak near McKeesport in 2007. Daniel died at the age of 73 on March 25, 2010. Interment of his remains was in Jefferson Memorial Cemetery.

Daughter Janet Arlene Shipley (1940-2011) was born on Jan. 28, 1940. In 1960, at about the age of 20, she married James A. Shank (1931-2005). He had been married previously to Marlene Terry ( ? - ? ) and brought these offspring to the second union -- Patricia Jones, Leslie Diane Orr and Louise Wolf. The Shankses resided in North Versailles and East McKeesport, Allegheny County and produced three more children of their own -- James T. Shank, Janelle Ford and Jason Shank. Janet was a teacheres aide at Praise Assembly of North Versailles, working in the child care program. She also held a Monday Bible study in her residence. James passed away at the age of 74 on July 30, 2005 in McKeesport. Janet outlived him by six years. At the age of 71, Janet died at home on March 2, 2011. An obituary was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which noted that she was survived by 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

• Step-granddaughter Patricia Shank was twice married. Her second spouse was Martin Jones. By 2011, she was a companion of Tom Tobacco.

• Step-granddaughter Leslie "Diane" Shank was wedded to Samuel Orr.

• Step-granddaughter Louise Shank (1955-2008) tied the marital cord with Terry Wolf. Sadness shrouded the family at her death on Aug. 20, 2008.

• Grandson James T. Shank was united in marriage with Lauren.

• Granddaughter Janelle Shank was joined in wedlock with John Ford. They are thought to have dwelled in North Versailles in 1993 and been the parents of Ryan John Ford and Justin James Ford.

• Grandson Jason Shank ( ? - ? ) was a companion of Melissa Milosvich in 2011.

Stepson Harry Ritenour Jr. (1920-1994) was born on July 21, 1920 in East McKeesport. In 1945, he was a soldier with the U.S. Army, making his home at 1120 Walnut Street in McKeesport. At the age of 24, in early 1945, he is believed to have been joined in matrimony with 18-year-old Evelyn Duyava (1926- ? ), daughter of John and Mariea (Laboruk) Duyava of McKeesport. Together, they produced a large brood of offspring -- Richard Allen Ritenour, Harry W. Ritenour, Robert L. Ritenour, Renee Zdrodowski Liptak, John Ritenour and Linda Minnick. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1950, they made a home in McKeesport with Harry driving a truck for a furniture store. They remained in the McKeesport/North Versailles community for decades. Harry died on Sept. 2, 1994. Evelyn outlived him by a number of years and may have married again to (?) Roberts ( ? - ? ). She was deceased by 2011.

• Grandson Richard Allen Ritenour (1944-1996) was born on April 30, 1944 in or near McKeesport. He married Ruth Ann ( ? - ? ). Their trio of children included Jason Ritenour, Susanne Ritenour and Kelli Ritenour. Most of the family relocated to Florida, setting in Longwood, except for daughter Kelli who stayed behind in Jeannette, PA. Richard earned a living as an insurance salesman. Sadly, at the age of 52, Richard passed away on Nov. 24, 1996. An obituary was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. His funeral was conducted in the Church of the Nazarene in Longwood, with interment following in Longwood Memorial Gardens. Ruth Ann married again to Chuck Peavy and has been remembered in Ritenour obituaries over the years.

  Great-grandson Jason Ritenour moved to Longwood, FL with his parents.

  Great-granddaughter Susanne Ritenour has resided in Longwood, FL.

   Great-granddaughter Kelli Ritenour lived in Jeannette, Westmoreland County, PA in 1996.

• Grandson Harry William "Woody" Ritenour (1946- ? ) was born in about 1946 in or near McKeesport. He migrated to Florida and in 1996-2011 dwelled at Lake Mary, FL. He married Marsha ( ? - ? ). As of 2022, they had moved back to Pennsylvania and made a dwelling-place in New Eagle, PA.

• Grandson Robert L. Ritenour (1946-2025) was born ion Nov. 30, 1946 in or near McKeesport. He moved to Brooksville, FL and was there in 1996-2011. Robert entered into marriage with Donna ( ? - ? ). Their final home was in Ridge Manor, FL. Evidence suggests that he died at the age of 78 on May 4, 2025.

• Granddaughter Renee Ritenour (1949- ? ) was born in about 1949. She first tied the knot with Joseph Zdrodowski ( ? - ? ), son of Paul and Florence Zdrodowski. The only child born to this union was Sean Zdrodowski. Their marriage dissolved in divorce. Renee's dwelling-place in the mid-1990s was in North Versailles near McKeesport. By 2011, she wed again to William Liptak and moved to Lake Mary, FL while Joseph stayed in Pittsburgh. They were plunged into mourning at the untimely death of 40-year-old son Sean in 2011. Said an obituary, "Renee dedicated herself to doing things for other people, taking friends to doctor appointments, grocery shopping, or helping you out at home. She would crochet blankets and take them to nursing homes, and at Christmas, she would make candy treats and stockings for the elderly." Renee's final residence was in Dravosburg near McKeesport. At the age of 73, as a patient in UPMC East Hospital, she passed away on Feb. 16, 2022.

  Great-grandson Sean Zdrodowski (1970-2011) was born on Oct. 24, 1970 in McKeesport. After his parents' divorce, he and his mother relocated to Florida and lived at Lake Mary. Sadly, at the age of 40, he died on Jan. 6, 2011. Burial of the remains was in Oaklawn Park Cemetery, with services presided by Pastor Clark Whitten. His obituary appeared in the McKeesport Daily News. 

• Grandson John Ritenour ( ? - ? ) grew up in McKeesport. His first job was in a steel mill, shoveling coal into the fire. He eventually moved into the field of insurance. John wed Valli Spinosi ( ? - ? ). They are the parents of Heath Ritenour. In 1988, the couple co-founded Insurance Office of Florida of Apopka, FL, which evolved into Insurance Office of America to provide insurance and risk management services. Today the firm has offices in 60 cities in the United States and England. They remained in Longwood as of 1996-2025. In 2016, the pair received the LPGA Eloise Trainor Award from The Epson Tour, Road to the LPGA for their efforts to host the Tour's final event at Alaqua Country Club in Longwood in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew's destruction.

  Great-grandson Heath Ritenour is an alumnus of Lake Brantley High School. He then played football on a scholarship to Liberty University, where he studied business administration. Heath joined his parents' insurance firm as an agent. He was named CEO in 2008 and chairman of the board in 2018. In his role as CEO, the firm has grown into the 11th largest privately held insurance brokerages in the nation. As well, he heads the IOA Foundation which serves the Central Florida region with fundraising drives, charitable events, and sponsored sports events such as the Symetra Tour’s IOA Classic and the SimplyIOA Corporate 5K. Heath is a cancer survivor. In 2018, The Orlando Business Journal named him a CEO of the Year Honoree and in 2020 he was named to the 2020 Business Insurance Hot 100 list. He is a board director with Cogent Bank and a member of Grace Church of Longwood where he has served as an elder. He also has been a board director for the Foundation for Seminole State College and Seminole County Public Schools.

• Granddaughter Linda J. Ritenour (1950-2014) was born on June 8, 1950 in McKeesport. She was joined in matrimony with (?) Minnick. They together bore a daughter, Theresa Gottheld. Later, Linda was a longtime companion of Midge Reynolds. They resided in McKeesport in 1996-2011. Sadly, after contracting cancer, Linda died at home at the age of 63 on May 10, 2014. Her son-in-law Daniel Gottheld conducted the obsequies.

  Great-granddaughter Theresa Minnick married Rev. Daniel Gottheld. 

Stepdaughter Dorothy Naomi Ritenour (1923-1998) was born on June 20, 1923 in East McKeesport. She first appears to have married George William Heatherington (Aug. 1, 1923-1960), a native of McKeesport and the son of George L. and Elizabeth (Barnes) Heatherington. Their two children are believed to have been Nancy Burkhart and David Heatherington. The family lived at 1303 Herbert Street in North Versailles Township. For years, George suffered from hypertension. On the fateful Leap Day 1960, he suffered a brain bleed and was admitted to McKeesport Hospital, where he died that day. Interment was in Grandview Cemetery in North Versailles. Later she was wed to John Edward Ballou (1919-1976), a native of Brooklyn, NY and a mill worker living in Wilmerding, PA. He was the son of mill worker Edward and Elizabeth (Reed) Ballou of Wilmerding. Four offspring were produced by their union -- Louise Ballou, Melanie Dieringer, John E. Ballou Jr. and Jacquelyn Dorothy Dinkfelt. They made their home in North Versailles, PA at the address of 318 Miedle Avenue. Sadly, John died on June 7, 1976. His obituary was printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Dorothy survived heer spouse by 22 years. She died on July 26, 1998.

• Granddaughter Nancy tied the marital cord with John R. "Jack" Burkhart Jr. (1944-1998). John died in 1998. His remains were placed into the sleep of eternity in Penn Lincoln Memorial Park. As of 2021, Nancy dwelled in North Huntingdon.

• Grandson David Heatherington ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 2021.

• Granddaughter Louise Ballou resided with her parents in Wilmerding in 1976. She was deceased by 2011.

• Granddaughter Melanie Ballou entered into marriage with (?) Dieringer. The couple established a residence in Connecticut and were there in 1976-1978. Their dwelling-place in 2021 was in Epping, NH.

• Grandson John E. Ballou Jr. relocated to Canada and was there in 1976. 

• Granddaughter Jacquelyn Dorothy Ballou (1962-2021) was born on July 20, 1962 in McKeesport and grew up in North Versailles. She was an alumna of East Allegheny High School. She was joined in wedlock with Michael Dinkfelt ( ? - ? ). The couple's only son was Richard Dinkfelt. They moved to Middletown, PA, where she held a membership in the Moose Club. Sadly, at the age of 59, Jacquelyn died on Nov. 19, 2021.

Stepson William E. Ritenour (1927-2004) was born on Aug. 5, 1927 in East McKeesport. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army. On Sept. 25, 1954, the 27-year-old William was united in wedlock with Elizabeth Ashcroft (July 24, 1931-2021), a native of Whitaker, PA and the daughter of Thomas T. and Frances M. (Kratzenburg) Ashcroft. The marriage lasted for 50 years until the separation of death. The Ritenours produced three daughters -- Karen Slobodian, Kim Ritenour and Kathy Shaffer. Elizabeth was a 1950 graduate of McKeesport High School. They dwelled in North Versailles, where William spent his working career as a test technician with Westinghouse Air Brake. The family were members of St. Stephen Episcopal Church in McKeesport, and William belonged to the McKeesport Amvets Post 8 and White Oak American Legion Post 701. He also earned income over the years as a deliveryman for Hershberg's Furniture and Reuben's Furniture. The McKeesport Daily News once said of Elizabeth, "Prior to marriage she worked for G.C. Murphy Co. in McKeesport. She was a lifetime member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. Family was everything to her! She was a special lady who loved life, gardening, and bird watching. Known to many as 'Little Betty', she was a joy and blessing to everyone who knew her." As his health failed, William was admitted to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he succumbed at the age of 77 on Nov. 4, 2004. Rev. Dr. Jay Geisler led the funeral service followed by interment in Jefferson Memorial Park. An obituary was published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review which noted that his survivors included six grandchildren. Elizabeth lived for another 17 years in North Versailles. As her health failed she was admitted to reside in The Patriot in Somerset, PA. She died at the age of 90 on Oct. 23, 2021. Her funeral was conducted in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in McKeesport, jointly led by Rev. Dr. Moni McIntyre and Rev. Dr. W. Jay Geisler.

• Step-granddaughter Karen Ritenour ( ? - ? ) grew up in McKeesport. She was baptized at the age of 16 in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and is a 1974 graduate of East Allegheny High School. She married Walter Slobodian ( ? - ? ), son of Walter and Rose Marie (Vargo) Slobodian. Their home in 2004-2011 was in White Oak. Karen has served on the board of directors of the local Salvation Army and has given of her time in the gift shop of UPMC McKeesport Hospital. She has been vice chair of the Democratic Committee of White Oak since 2002, senior warden of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of McKeesport and a board director of McKeesport Ministerium.

• Step-granddaughter Kim Ritenour ( ? - ? )  wedded Barry ( ? - ? ) and has lived in Jennerstown, PA. By 2022, she was a companion of Richard Donofrio of Elizabeth, PA.

• Step-granddaughter Kathy Ritenour was joined in matrimony with Mark Shaffer. They have resided in Bear and Middletown, DE.

~ Son Albert "Clarence" Shipley ~

Son Albert "Clarence" (or "A.C.") Shipley (1888-1985) was born on May 13, 1888. As a young man, he was a farmer and resided at Victoria, a community near Ohio Pyle, Fayette County.

On Nov. 2, 1912, when he was age 24, Albert married 22-year-old Melissa C. Fortney (Aug. 15, 1890-1935), daughter of William and Catherine (Reed) Fortney of Somerfield, Somerset County. The nuptials took place in Glassport near McKeesport, by the hand of Rev. C.W. Fowkes. A newspaper reported that the "groom is a well known young man, born and reared at Bidwell where his father is a prosperous farmer. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Fortney, respected residents of this vicinity, and is a very estimable lady, a prominent worker in church and Sunday school and in the Epworth League."

The Shipleys lived in 1920 in Williamsport, Washington County, MD, in a house on Conococheague Street, where Albert held a job as a railroad track foreman. They later accepted a transfer to Newell, Fayette County, where he labored circa 1930 as a railroad tie tamper.

They together bore a family of four children -- Mary Catherine Little, Albert Harrison Shipley, Alverta Krivacek Duncan and Phyllis Goldstein. 

Suffering from heart disease and fibroids of the uterus, which caused the uteus to slip out of its normal position, Melissa was admitted into McKeesport Hospital. There, she passed away at the age of 45 on Feb. 22, 1935. 

Clarence outlived his first wife by a half-century. He later married Mary Esther Howell (1898-1991) and continued to be employed for many years by the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad at Newell. 

Clarence died at the age of 97 on Feb. 26, 1985, and was laid to rest at Addison.

Daughter Mary Catherine Shipley (1913-1971) was born on Sept. 9, 1913 in Confluence, PA. She married John Charles Little Jr. (Sept. 11, 1913-1963), son of John and Augusta (Kloss) Little. Two known sons of this family were Donald Little, John Charles "Jack" Little, Mary Ann Milazzo and Margaret Williamson. The Littles settled in Johnstown, where John was employed in 1940 as a salter in a steel mill and Mary Catherine as a registered nurse. Their home was located at 744 McMillen Street in the early 1960s. His workplace at the time was in the plate mill of Bethlehem Steel Corporation. Grief cascaded over the family when the 49-year-old John suffered a heart attack and died in Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital on July 13, 1963. Mary Catherine survived for another eight years. Her final address was 207 Dowling Road in Johnstown, PA. Suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, she died in the Conemaugh Valley Memorial at the age of 57 on Sept. 2, 1971. Margaret Little, of the home address, was the informant for the official Pennsylvania death certificate. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery.

• Grandson Donald Little (1940- ? ) was born in about 1940 in Johnstown, PA. He settled in Winston-Salem, NC.

• Grandson John Charles "Jack" Little III (1946-2001) was born on July 18, 1946 in Johnstown. He is known to have served in the U.S. Marine Corps. John established a homeplace in Charlotte, NC. He tied the marital cord with Carol Phenicie (1947-2014). John was the father of Patrick Little and Buffy Little. He worked for many years at Snow-White Cleaners. Sadly, death spirited him away at the age of 54, in Presbyterian Hospital, on Feb. 3, 2001. He was pictured in his obituary in the Charlotte Observerin which the family asked that any memorial gifts be made to the American Heart Association. Carol is believed to have died in Leesburg on Jan. 23, 2014. 

  Great-grandson Patrick Little lived in Leesburg, VA in 2001.

  Great-granddaughter Buffy Little dwelled in Leesburg, VA in 2001.

• Granddaughter Mary Ann Little ( ? - ? ) wed (?) Milazzo. Circa 2001, she dwelled in Charlotte, NC. 

• Granddaughter Margaret Little ( ? - ? ) married (?) Williamson. They lived in Fort Mill, SC in 2001.

Son Albert Harrison Shipley Sr. (1915-1990) was born on or about Feb. 3, 1915 in Cumberland, MD. He and his father lived in Newell, Fayette County, PA in the late 1930s. In January 1939, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and in February 1958, he served as a chief electrician on the U.S.S. Antietam, an anti-submarine warfare support aircraft carrier ported in Mayport, FL. On April 11, 1941, in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County, NC, Albert was joined in wedlock with 18-year-old Mildred Gertrude Ainsley (1923-2009), daughter of Miles Turner and Mary Gertrude (Sexton) Ainsley. Their four known children were Barbara Jean "Bobbie" Shipley, Deanna Raye Shipley, Albert Harrison Shipley Jr. and Shirley Marie Nelson. Albert spent many years in the Navy and in 1941 they lived at 228 West 26th Street in Norfolk's Circuit Court. Sadly, their son Albert Jr., born prematurely, died in the Norfolk Naval Hospital at the tender age of 13 days on Sept. 28, 1941. His remains were laid to rest in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Portsmouth. On the day of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, he was stationed aboard the USS Kilauea (AE-4), with service on the East Coast, Caribbean and Newfoundland. He remained on that ship until Feb. 15, 1943. He was transferred to the USS Hale for the final two years of the war, from Feb. 15, 1943 to Feb. 19, 1945. At his discharge, he is known to have returned to the Confluence area in March 1945 for a visit with his sister Alberta Yeagley, as recorded on the pages of the Meyersdale Republican. The United States Census of 1950 lists the family in Tanners Creek, Norfolk County, VA, with him employed as a Navy electrician. At that time, Mildred's brother Kenneth Ainsley was in their household. Another of their addresses circa 1950-1951 was 1237 East Woodlawn Avenue in Broadcreek, Norfolk County. Albert rejoined the Navy and in early 1958 was deployed to Mayport, FL, serving as chief electrician aboard the anti-submarine warfare support aircraft carrier USS Antietam. Sadly, their marriage dissolved with a separation in July 1958 followed by divorce in Norfolk on Nov. 13, 1964. Albert's home at the time of divorce was in Bremerton, WA before a move to Ventura, CA. On Dec. 12, 1964, at the age of 51, Albert entered into marriage with 46-year-old Marjorie Gertrude Esler ( ? - ? ), also of Ventura. Their wedding nuptials were conducted in Clark County, NV. He died in Lake County, CA on Dec. 5, 1990. First wife Mildred remained in Virginia Beach for the balance of her life. At the age of 86, she died in Sentara Leigh Hospital on Aug. 28, 2009. An obituary in the Tidewater News of Franklin, VA said she was survived by three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Interment was in Rosewood Memorial Park.

• Granddaughter Barbara Jean "Bobbie" Shipley (1942- ? ) was born in 1942 in St. Vincent's Hospital in Virginia. She was united in matrimony with William Arthur Shaw (July 19, 1935-1987), son of James Arthur and Orva (Long) Shaw, who had been born and raised in Pittsylvania County, VA. The couple's two sons were James Arthur Shaw and William Gary Shaw. He is known to have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Korean War. The family made its residence in Virginia Beach, at the address of 425 West Chicksaw Road. For 25 years, William owned and managed Universal Appliance and Repair of Norfolk. They held a membership in the First Church of the Brethren of Danville. Sadly, at the age of 51, William died in Leigh Memorial Hospital on Jan. 30, 1987. His obituary was printed in the Danville Register and Bee. His survivors included five grandchildren and one step-grandchild. Rev. Dale F. Watson led the graveside services at Highland Burial Park. The widowed Barbara survived her spouse by many years. She was in Virginia Beach in 2009.

  Great-grandson James Arthur Shaw ( ? - ? ) lived in Norfolk in 1987. 

  Great-grandson William Gary Shaw ( ? - ? ) resided in 1987 in Norfolk.

• Granddaughter Deanna R. Shipley (1946- ? ) was born in about 1946 in Norfolk General Hospital. News of her birth was published in the Norfolk Ledger-Star. She tied the marital cord with Leo Anthony Ferrari (May 22, 1945-2020), originally from Norfolk and the son of Anthony A. and Elizabeth (Noona) Ferrari. Together they bore a trio of daughters -- Gina Louise Parker, Jody Ferrari-Kuehn and Toni Ferrari. After attending Maury High School, he was a 1963 graduate of Princess Anne High School of Virginia Beach. He went on to matriculate at Hick's Beauty Academy and spent the rest of his career in hairdressing. Said a Virginia Beach newspaper, "He had been a successful owner of hair salons: Mr. Derby & Mr. Leo, Hop-A-Long Scissors, Trend Setters, and Ferraris Ltd. He ended his career at Designer Stylists Salon as an independent operator." Their home in 2009-2020 was in Virginia Beach. Sadness blanketed the family when, at age 75, Leo passed away in their residence on July 18, 2020. His remains were placed into eternal sleep in Rosewood-Kellum Memorial Park.

  Great-granddaughter Gina Louise Ferrari (1966-2020) was born on May 31, 1966 in Norfolk, VA. She was a 1984 graduate of Kempsville High School. Gina married Linwood "Craig" Parker ( ? - ? ). Two known children were Cory Parker and Cari Parker. Gina was employed as a project clerk for Branch Civil, a general contractor providing services for such projects as design-build, heavy/highway construction, building development, construction management, structures, general contracting services, specialty metal fabrication, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. As of 2020, the family home was on Knott's Island Road in Knott's Island, NC. Sadly, when she was 53 years of age, Gina Louise surrendered to the angel of death at home on May 15, 2020. Her obituary appeared in the Virginian-Pilot. As the time of Gina's death, her daughter Cari was in Suffolk, VA and son Cory was in Knott's Island, NC.

  Great-granddaughter Jody Ferrari ( ? - ? ) is an alumna of Kempsville High School. On Oct. 17, 1992, she wed Ned Kuehn ( ? - ? ). They reside in Virginia Beach and are the parents of Bryce Kuehn and Bailey Kuhn. Jody attended the Virginia Bankers Association in 2016-2019 and appears to be employed as a retail market manager at Southern Bank.

  Great-granddaughter Toni Ferrari ( ? - ? ) tied the knot with William "Chase" Thornton ( ? - ? ), son of Jack Arnold and Barbara Jeanne "B.J." Thornton II. They have dwelled in Virginia Beach and are the parents of Caitlyn Thornton and Connor Thornton. 

• Granddaughter Shirley Marie Shipley (1951- ? ) was born in 1951 in Virginia. Her birth was announced on the pages of the Norfolk Ledger-Star. At the age of 21, on Sept. 1, 1972, in Norfolk, VA, she wed Ronald Wayne Nelson (1949- ? ), son of Paul Wayne and Margie Rae (Bryant) Nelson of Norfolk. Marriage commissioner LeRoy T. Cheshire officiated. Circa 2009, the Nelsons dwelled in Zuni in the Hampton Roads community.

Daughter Alverta Shipley (1920-2013) was born on May 29, 1920 in Williamsport, Washington County, MD. She was united in wedlock with Michael Edward Krivacek (1914-1982). They resided in Newell, Fayette County and produced one son, Michael Bradley Krivacek. Alverta obtained education from Johnstown Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and was employed as a registered nurse for 66 years, from 1944 to 2010. She provided services for Dr. Dant, the Miner’s Clinic at Centerville and Charleroi Hospital in Monongahela. Michael passed away in 1982, with burial in LaFayette Memorial Park in Brier Hill, Fayette County. Alverta married again to James A. Duncan Sr. ( ? - ? ). She became widowed a second time and retained her residence in Newell. She died at home at the age of 92 on April 18, 2013. Her remains were brought to Somerset County to rest in Addison Cemetery, with Rev. Jason Lamer officiating at the funeral service.

• Grandson Michael Bradley Krivacek (1947-2006) was born on Sept. 25, 1947. Evidence suggests that he received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Miami in Coral Gables. He then went to law school and was admitted to practice law in California in 1975. His home during that time was in Marina Del Rey, CA. He was named president of Co Petro, a company based in Los Angeles with offices in Denver, Houston and San Francisco. The firm "offered small investors a chance to profit from rising gasoline prices by buying their own truckloads of gas," reported the Los Angeles Times. But when placed under U.S. Department of Energy investigation, the firm shuttered its doors in March 1980. In May 1980 a federal judge named a receiver to take control of Co Petro's assets and enjoyed the business from any future futures contracts. The case eventually was heard by the U.S. Circuit Court for the 9th Circuit. Then in 1981, he and Co Petro chairman Harold Goldstein were jailed in Los Angeles for their "con scheme" involving a 58-foot Hatteras yacht. The pair's plan was "to use drafts, checks and stationery from a non-existent institution, City Overseas Bank Ltd. of Montserrat, West Indes, to convince their victims to go along with their schemes," reported the Fort Lauderdale News. "These victims included a Fort Lauderdale condominium president, two West Palm Beach car dealers, a West Palm Beach jeweler and, for a time, a sea captain who eventually blew the whistle." Michael was sentenced in June 1981 to serve five years in prison and to pay a $60,000 fine on his conviction under "interstate transportation" laws. In May 1983, he was one of 21 individuals to be indicted in what the United Press International said was "possibly the largest fraud scheme in the history of the United States." But less than a year later, in February 1984, the charges against Michael and Goldstein were dropped at the request of Brent Ward, U.S. Attorney for Utah, saying the indictments against them were legally not sufficient. At the age of 59, he died on Nov. 23, 2006. His remains were lowered under the sacred soil of Addison Cemetery. Inscribed at the top of his grave marker are the words "Beloved Son."

Daughter Phyllis Shipley ( ? - ? ) married (?) Goldstein. She is believed to have served as treasurer of Shipley Enterprises, Inc., a tree farm of Lake Worth, FL, established in 1999.

Addison Cemetery

~ Son Norman "Floyd" Shipley ~

Son Norman "Floyd" Shipley (1890-1964) was born on Oct. 8, 1890, at Victoria, Fayette County, PA. He was of medium height and build, with brown eyes and dark hair. 

Floyd obtained employment with the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad, and moved to Pittsburgh in the 1910s, where he held the position of railroad foreman. In 1918, when he filled out a World War I military draft registration card, he made his home at 3022 Carson Street on Pittsburgh's South Side. He was not married at the time.

He eventually married Catherine Wenzel (May 21, 1876-1957), daughter of Henry Wenzel of Pittsburgh. The groom was 14 years younger than the bride. 

They did not reproduce.

The Shipleys eventually relocated to Beaver Falls, Beaver County, PA where he earned a living as a railroad watchman. They maintained a home at 4002 Fourth Avenue. Upon retirement, the couple remained in Beaver Falls.

Catherine suffered from congestive heart failure and passed away at home at age 81 on Oct. 14, 1957. Burial was in Beaver Falls Cemetery.

Having been burdened with hardening of the arteries leading to his heart, Floyd was admitted to Providence Hospital in the city and died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 73 on Jan. 13, 1964. His remains were returned to Somerset County for interment in Addison Cemetery. His brother Robert signed his official Pennsylvania death certificate. No obituary is known to have been printed in the Beaver County Times or Connellsville Daily Courier.

~ Son Robert Clement Shipley Sr. ~

Son Robert Clement Shipley Sr. (1892-1985) was born on Sept. 30, 1892 in Victoria, Fayette County, PA. He was of medium height and build, with brown eyes and brown hair. 

Robert married Georgiana Kern ( ? - ? ). 

The pair produced four children -- Robert Clement Shipley Jr., Charles E. Shipley, Anna Margaret "Peg" Armbrust and Violet Elizabeth "Bettie" Edwards. 

Circa 1918, when he was age 26, Robert registered for the U.S. military draft during World War I. At the time, he was employed as a brakeman on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Connellsville, Fayette County. in 1920, when their son Charles was born, the family dwelled in Grant Town near Fairmont, Marion County, WV.

Said the Beaver County (PA) Times, Robert "was a resident of Hendrysburg, Ohio, prior to moving to the Beaver Falls area, where he resided most of his life. He was a watchman for the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad, Pittsburgh, 40 years, retiring in 1959, and a member of the First Baptist Church, Beaver Falls.

Bird's-eye view of Beaver Falls, PA

He lived at Beaver Falls, Beaver County from 1961 to his death in 1985. He passed away at home at the age of 93 on Oct. 14, 1985. He was laid to rest in Grandview Cemetery in Big Beaver Borough. At the time, said the Times, he was survived by four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Son Robert Clement Shipley Jr. (1917-2004) was born on March 5, 1917 in Connellsville. He relocated to Beaver Falls with his parents and family. He was twice married. His first bride was Madeline Grau ( ? - ? ). They apparently did not reproduce. After Madeline's death, he wed again to Marion Keren ( ? - ? ). They did not have any children either. During World War II, Robert served in the U.S. Army. Said the Beaver County Times, he "was a Boy Scout executive for the Pittsburgh area. He was sent to Washington D.C. to represent the Scouts there. Later, he worked for H.C. Connoly Real Estate in Silver Springs, Md. before taking a job with the U.S. Treasury Dept. in evaluating real estate for the U.S. Government." He was a master of the Masons lodge in Beaver Falls. Robert spent his final years in Daytona Beach, FL and there he died at the age of 87 on June 10, 2004. His remains were transported to Pennsylvania to be placed into eternal repose in Grandview Cemetery in Big Beaver Borough.

Son Charles E. "Chuck" Shipley (1920-2018) was born on March 6, 1920 in Grant Town, north of Fairmont, Marion County, WV. He spent his growing-up years in Hendrysburg, OH. During World War II, Chuck was a member of the 4th Signal Company, 4th Infantry Division and took part in the D-Day Invasion at Normandy and in liberating Paris, for which he earned a French Jubilee of Liberty Medal. In about 1948, at the age of 28, he married 25-year-old Bernice A. Altsman (1923-2010), daughter of James William and Nora Bell (Denhart) Altsman. The couple was together for 62 years until the separation of death. They resided in White Township, and at 415 39th Street and 2901 22nd Avenue in Beaver Falls, PA. The couple did not reproduce. Charles was employed for 40 years installing telephone and telegraph technology with Western Electric, which later became AT&T Network Systems and eventually Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. He was active with the Masonic lodge. He volunteered as president of AT&T Pioneers, an organization of early employees, and for more than six decades was a member of the First Baptist Church of Beaver Falls. Said the Beaver County Times, Bernice "was the secretary to the personnel manager of Armstrong World Industries at the Beaver Falls plant for 41 years. [She] was the oldest member of the First Baptist Church, Beaver Falls, with over 70 years of service." Bernice passed away at age 87 on June 27, 2010, at the Beaver Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, after suffering a stroke earlier in the year. She was laid to rest in Grandview Cemetery in Big Beaver Borough. Charles outlived his bride by eight years and became a resident of Wesley Ridge Parkside in Reynoldsburg, OH. There, he died at the age of 97 on Feb. 2, 2018, and joined his wife in repose at Grandview.

Daughter Anna Margaret "Peg" Shipley ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She married (?) Armbrust. Circa 2004, she dwelled in St. Clairsville, OH.

Daughter Violet Elizabeth "Bettie" Shipley (1924-2015) was born in about 1924 in Hendrysburg, OH. She was joined in wedlock with Thomas Joseph "Joe" Edwards ( ? - ? ), and they remained together for 60 years until separation by death. The couple produced two children -- Richard Edwards and Cindy Lawson. Said the Columbus (OH) Dispatch, "Known for her insightful wisdom, unconditional love, and generous spirit, Bettie poured out her heart to her family and friends." She made her home in Columbus, OH in 2004. Bettie died at the age of 92 on March 19, 2015. Following a memorial service at the Wesley Ridge Retirement Community Kimes Chapel in Reynoldsburg, OH, her remains were lowered into repose in Asbury Cemetery.

• Grandson Richard Edwards ( ? - ? )

• Granddaughter Cynthia Edwards ( ? - ? ) married Thomas Lawson ( ? - ? )

Addison Cemetery

~ Daughter Edna Odelia "Deedee" Shipley ~

Daughter Edna Odelia "Deedee" Shipley (1894-1968) was born on Sept. 11, 1894 or 1896 in Victoria, Fayette County.

She was a reader of the Pittsburgh Press newspaper, and in 1914, living in Victoria, Fayette County at the age of 20, won 10th prize in a "Great '33' Puzzle contest, with her name printed in the edition of Jan. 18, 1914.

She apparently never married. Circa September 1920, she and her sister Alverda Yeagley and family spent a 10-day vacation in Atlantic City. A year later they motored to Maryland, making stops in Williamsport, Gettysburg and Hagerstown. When named in a 1925 Meyersdale Republican story, she was referred to as "the popular cashier in the Liberty Photo Picture Theatre" and was "taking music lessons from Mrs. A.E. Graver of the same place, the past winter..." In 1926, she was hired by her brother-in-law Charles E. Yeagley to work as a saleswoman in his bakery and story in Confluence. Her comings and goings socially often were noted in the Republican. 

She is known to have attended her mother's 77th birthday party and Shipley family reunion at Victoria in July 1939.

In May 1947, Odelia is known to have been seriously ill and a patient at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, and was "slightly improving" later in the month. In all, she spent three months at Mercy before returning home.

She survived her illness and lived in Confluence for more than two decades more.

In October 1959, she paid a visit to her sister Alverda Yeagley who was a patient in Somerset State Hospital, with the news reported in the gossip columns of the Somerset Daily American. Circa 1968, her home address was with Charlotte Jewart/Jewarett at 608 Summit Avenue in Glassport, PA.

Odelia fractured her left femur in a fall from her bed which led to a massive pulmonary embolism. She passed away in McKeesport Hospital on Dec. 1, 1968. She rests for eternity beside her parents and siblings at Addison Cemetery.

Addison Cemetery

~ Son Harrison Rayman "Harry" Shipley ~

Son Harrison Rayman "Harry" Shipley (1897-1991) was born on March 18, 1897 at Victoria, Fayette County, PA.

As an adult, he had grey eyes and light brown hair, and carried the nickname "Hardrock." In 1918, when registering for the military draft during World War I, the 21-year-old Harry lived at home in Victoria.

Harry married Myrtle Freda ( ? - ? ).

They produced one known daughter, Alma Jean Torrence, born in 1922.

Federal census records for 1930 show that Harry and his mother and daughter relocated to Koppel, Beaver County, PA, where he earned a living as a foreman for a railroad company, likely the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad.

They eventually returned to Victoria and were there in 1945 when he signed his mother's official Pennsylvania certificate of death. Later, he resided at Ohiopyle and at Confluence, Somerset County.

Circa 1935-1940, he and his mother and daughter resided together in the Victoria area.

Harry was named in the Connellsville Daily Courier obituary of his sister Alverda Yeagley in January 1961, and at the time he resided in Ohiopyle.

Circa 1971, Harry made his home in Ventura, CA. He returned to Somerset County, and lived in Confluence in 1985. He died at age 94 in 1991 and is buried in the family plot at Addison.

Daughter Alma Jean Shipley (1921-2011) was born on June 13, 1921 in Victoria near Ohiopyle, Fayette County. In July 1948, at about the age of 16, she gave birth to a son James Alfred Shipley, and then in January 1950 brought a paternity lawsuit against railroader Albert T. Hohman of Ohiopyle. On New Year's Eve 1951, she entered into marriage with World War II veteran Raymond Francis Torrence (March 25, 1920-1991), a native of Pittsburgh. They exchanged their vows by the hand of justice of the peace I.F. Woodmency. Raymond had served during the war as a private with Company E of the 26th Infantry. At the time of their nuptials, he made his home on Neville Island near Pittsburgh. He is believed to have brought a stepson into the union, Russell Hyatt. The couple set up housekeeping in Victoria and went on to produce two children of their own -- Robert Torrence and Myrtle Paula McIntosh. By 1954, they had moved to Coraopolis, Allegheny County and by 1956 had relocated to Aliquippa, Beaver County. Sadly, Raymond died on March 13, 1991. His remains were lowered into the sleep of the ages in Rice Ridge Cemetery in Marshall County, WV, a mile north of Littleton. Alma Jean spent her final years with her son Robert in the small village of New Freeport in Greene County, PA. With her health in decline, she was admitted to reside in Rolling Meadows Nursing Home in Waynesburg. She died there at the age of 90 on Sept. 23, 2011. Burial was in Rice Ridge,   with evangelist Steve Stevens leading the rites.

• Grandson James Alfred Shipley (1948-2012) was born on July 1, 1948 in or around Victoria, Fayette County. He was wed to Genevieve Hamilton ( ? - ? ). They were the parents of Randy Hunter, Jimmie Stafford and Les Hunter. During the Vietnam War, he served with the U.S. Army. He relocated to Wellington, OH in the 1970s and spent more than three decades there. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Free Will Baptist Church of Wellington and Ironworkers Local 17 of Cleveland. He loved to hunt, with a special enjoyment of hunting deer. Circa 2009, he moved to Nova, OH. He died at the age of 63, as a resident of Good Shepherd Home in Ashland, OH, on Jan. 24, 2012. Interment was in Nova Cemetery, with the funeral service officiated by Rev. Eddie Kennedy Jr. An obituary noted that he was survived by six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

• Grandson Robert Torrence made his home in New Freeport, Greene County, PA in 2012.

• Granddaughter Myrtle Paula Torrence married (?) McIntosh and relocated to Salmon, ID.

• Step-grandson Russell Hyatt ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 2011.

~ Son Otto Lee Shipley ~

Edna and Otto

Son Otto Lee Shipley (1899-1971) was born either in September 1898 or on Jan. 22, 1899, in Victoria, Fayette County.

He was of medium height and build, with brown eyes and black hair. When World War I broke out, Otto was living at home in Victoria and working with his father in farming. 

On July 23, 1919, Otto married Edna Matilda Kirschner (1903-1989), daughter of Otto and Elizabeth (Miller) Vn Kirschner. In the waning days of August 1919, said the Connellsville Daily Courier, the newlyweds were:

... tendered a very enjoyable surprise party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Shipley at Victoria. Music was rendered by Hall & Kemp's orchestra and the Martial band, the latter playing while lunch was being served. The following were present: Mr. and Mrs. C. Walter Shipley, Mr. and Mrs. O.L. Shipley, Harry Shipley, Charlotte Shipley, Irvin Shipley, Misses Celestia, Beatrice and Goldie Linderman, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Williams and sons, Opal and Earle, Emerson Kemp, Lee Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hohman and children, Sherman and Ada, Martin, Robert, Thomas and Brack Shipley, Russell Kemp, Eugene Harold and Edgar Jennings, Miss Irma Graver, McClelland Linderman, Walter Cunningham, Foster Morrison, Albert Moon and Francis Moon.

The Shipleys made their home in 1920 with Lee's older brother and sister-in-law Charles and Corinne Shipley in McKeesport. Later that year, they relocated to West Mayfield, Beaver County, PA, where obtained work as a section foreman in the Beaver Falls-College office of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad. Otto's obituary in the Beaver County Times said "He had been an outstanding West Mayfield borough administrator, served as first mayor of West Mayfield, four terms as burgess and also was a former justice of the peace. For many years he served on West Mayfield Borough Council and was a former president of council." 

Edna served as "president and member of the West Mayfield School Board for many years," said the Times. 

Otto and Edna together produced five children -- Ruth Todd Shaffer, Robert Lee Shipley, Virginia S. Gillingham, Vivian Gloria Shipley and Richard Vernon Shipley. 

Otto died at the age of 72 on Nov. 17, 1971. He was laid to rest in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park in Daugherty Township near Rochester, PA.

Edna outlived him by 18 years. She moved to Sparta, WI to be closer to her son. She passed away in Rolling Hills Nursing Home at the age of 86 on March 13, 1989. Her remains were returned to Beaver County for burial beside Otto. At her death, she was survived by 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

Darlington, PA, where Ruth Gossard dwelled in the early 1970s

Daughter Ruth Todd Shipley (1920-1998) was born in 1920. She married Woodrow Lyle Shaffer, but the marriage ended in divorce. She then married Harry Nicely McGee ( ? - ? ), with that marriage also ending in divorce. Ruth married her third husband Lester Gossard ( ? -1984), and following his death in 1984, she remarried Harry McGee ( ? - ? ). They made their home in Darlington, Beaver County, PA in 1971 and Lake City, FL in 1989. Ruth died in 1998.

Robert L. Shipley

Son Robert Lee Shipley (1921-1951) was born in 1921. He was an Air Force sergeant and radio operator who was killed during the Korean War. On Dec. 9, 1951, during what should have been an otherwise routine flight, his airplane, a C-119, "fell into the Japanese sea between Honshu and Kynshu Islands,"said the Beaver Falls News Tribune. "The last letter his family received from him was written on the boat on Thanksgiving Day." His remains were returned to Beaver County in January 1952 for burial at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park. Robert left a widow and a young daughter, who were living in Chicago at the time. Among other places, his name appeared in a special Korean War memorial page in the June 25, 2000 issue of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Daughter Virginia Shipley (1923-2003) was born in 1923. She married Samuel Gillingham ( ? - ? ). They had one daughter, Dolores Dawn Miller. After the marriage ended in divorce, Virginia wed Francis Carl "Squire" Isabella ( ? - ? ). She resided in West Mayfield , Beaver County, where she "was a life member of the Fort Pitt Chapter of the Telephone Pioneers of America," said the Beaver County Times. "Prior to her retirement she was employed as a supervisor for AT&T for 39 years. She was hard working and devoted to AT&T. She enjoyed roller-skating, gardening, boating, shopping and bingo." She died at age 79 at The Medical Center of Beaver, PA on July 29, 2003. She rests for eternity at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park.

• Granddaughter Dolores Dawn Gillingham married (?) Miller.

Daughter Vivian Gloria Shipley (1927-2005) was born on Oct. 7, 1927 in Beaver Falls, Beaver County. She migrated to California and settled in Inglewood. On June 16, 1976, in nuptials held in Clark County, CA, she married Michael Terlesky (Oct. 14, 1923-1995), who had shortened and Americanized his name as "Terley." By 1989, they had returned to West Mayfield near Beaver Falls. Michael died in the Medical Center of Beaver on March 15, 1995. A brief death notice was printed in the Beaver County Times. Vivian outlived her spouse by a decade. Death swept her away on Aug. 29, 2005. Interment of the remains was in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park.

Son Richard Vernon Shipley (1930-1991) was born on Aug. 22, 1930. Evidence suggests that he wedded Coleen Hartman (July 26, 1933-2007), daughter of Oak and Ottie J. Hartman of Brandywine, Pendleton County, WV. If true, the couple's children were Thomas Shipley, Sharon Woodworth and Deborah Woodworth. They lived in Darlington, Beaver County, PA circa 1971 and Sparta, WI in 1989. He passed away at the age of 61 on Nov. 30, 1991. The remains were lowered into eternal repose in Knollwood Cemetery in Logan, Hocking County, OH. Coleen survived for another 16 years and resided in Logan. She at one time was an aide at Hocking Valley Community Hospital and held memberships in the auxiliaries of the Lancaster (OH) post of the American Veterans and Logan lodge of the Moose. She died at home at the age of 74 on Nov. 25, 2007. In an obituary in the Pendleton (WV) Times, the family asked that any memorial donations be made to the Hocking Valley Community Hospital Foundation.

• Grandson Thomas L. Shipley (1965-1995) was born on Sept. 29, 1965. He was first wed to Sandra ( ? - ? ). Together, the couple produced a son. The Eau Claire (WI) Leader-Telegram reported that Sandra claimed he had emotional problems and a history of abusive behavior as well as having "a poor work ethic and never earned much money." The couple divorced in 1986, and she remarried (?) Bowen. Thomas in the spring of 1995 was joined in marriage a second time to Kathleen ( ? - ? ) who brought three children to the marriage -- Nathan White, Bobby Hensler and Jasamine Hensler. At the age of 30, in 1995, he was unemployed, and the family resided at N470 Chippewa Trail of New Auburn, WI, near the Rusk/Shippewa County line. He was active with a Lake Holcombe-area motorcycle group. When he failed to make child-support payments to his ex in December 1995, the Monroe County Circuit Court ordered him to look for a job. On the tragic day of Dec. 19, 1995, Thomas got into an argument with his wife as she and her three children were leaving home to attend a Christmas concert. He fired shots toward her using a .357 caliber handgun. Police were called. After a standoff of several hours, he burst out of his house around midnight, shooting and killing Rice Lake police officer Michael Baribeau and wounding one other before he in turn was killed by police. The news was published statewide. His remains are at rest in Knollwood Cemetery in Logan, Hocking County, OH.

• Granddaughter Sharon Shipley was joined in wedlock with (?) Woodworth. She was in Logan, OH in 2007.

• Granddaughter Deborah Shipley was united in matrimony with William Woodworth. Circa 2007, the couple dwelled in Kendall, WI.

Copyright © 2000-2003, 2006-2009, 2014, 2017, 2021, 2025 Mark A. Miner