Geneva E. Shipman

Geneva E. Shipman, 94, of rural Girard, died at 12:30 P.M., Sunday, May 11, 2008 in  the Cornerstone Village in Pittsburg.

She was the eldest of nine children born to Lester and Goldie (Brader) Stewart on October 9, 1913 near Sherman, Kansas.  She was a member of the Osage Presbyterian Church at rural Girard and active in United Presbyterian Women.  She served as a 4-H Leader for clothing and foods.  Geneva was known for raising a large garden and her canning skills.  Geneva excelled as a cook and won numerous prizes at fairs on her baking, especially bread, winning the Fleshman’s (yeast) Award.  She volunteered for the Girard Hospital Auxiliary and the Girard Public Library.  In her later years, she handmade laprobes for nursing home residents.

On February 14, 1934 she married Lyle K. Shipman at the home of her parents in McCune.  They celebrated 71 years of marriage before his death in 2005.

Survivors include one son, Phillip Shipman of Girard; four daughters, Luanne Brennan of Glen Ellyn, Illinois;  Carol Marie Shaw of Billings, Montana;  Nora Eng of San Antonio, Texas; and Ellen Carson of Girard;  15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; sisters Vera Dalrymple of Pittsburg; Loretta Cortner of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; and Corene Shaffer of Girard.

She was preceded in death by a son, Charles Leroy Shipman, sisters Donna Johnston, Bernice Flaharty, and Gladys Opal Stewart; a brother, Stanley Stewart; an infant brother and an infant granddaughter.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home with Rev. Virgil Lempenau officiating.  Burial will be in the Girard Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:00 P.M., Tuesday at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home where friends may call after 10:00 A.M., Tuesday.

Memorials are suggested to the Girard Hospital Foundation, Harry Hynes Hospice, or the Cornerstone Employees Assistance Fund and these may be left at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W St. John, Box 258, Girard, 66743.