Dennis Shippy

Dennis David (Denny) Shippy, age 78, of Gratiot, Wisconsin formerly of Dakota, Illinois passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Saturday, December 30th, 2023 in Gratiot, Wisconsin after an almost ten year battle of bone cancer. He was born on December 25th, 1945 in Freeport, Illinois the son of Leland and Nellie (Blackmore) Shippy. Denny graduated from Dakota High School in 1964. He served in the US Army Reserves for several years. Married to Vicki Barrett, Denny was blessed with the birth of his two sons, Scott in 1969 and Steve in 1970. Later in life, Denny married the love of his life Mary Roper. The couple were united in marriage in 1980 in Monroe, Wisconsin. In 1985 they welcomed a beloved daughter, Carrie, into the world. Upon graduation, Denny began working at Kelly Springfield Tire Company where he fulfilled various roles for many years. With his wife, Denny decided to come back to the Roper Family Farm in Gratiot, Wisconsin where many relationships were cultivated over a home cooked meal. They raised a beautiful family, crops, pigs, and milked Holsteins. Denny and Mary ran the land as long as they could until Denny's prognosis worsened and he was no longer able to. They then decided to rent the farm ground to their good family friends the Harbach Family Partnership. Denny was always proud and honored that they were able to host the 2017 Lafayette Co. Dairy Breakfast. Denny was an active church member, loved living on the farm, the Chicago Cubs, Bears, Wisconsin Badgers, and his fun casino trips with family. He also enjoyed volunteering his time locally in the community. Denny cherished get-togethers to see family and friends and always looked forward to them. During his courageous battle of cancer, Denny underwent 10 surgeries, 52 radiation treatments, chemotherapy, and years of immunotherapy and dialysis treatments all with a positive attitude and a smile on his face. Denny is survived by his wife, Mary of Gratiot; his children: Scott (Amy) Shippy of Freeport, IL, Steve (Mary) Shippy of Queen Creek, Arizona, & Carrie (Travis) Shippy Meyers of Gratiot, WI. His grandchildren, Jacob Shippy, Landrie Meyers, and great grandchild Emma Aten; and his sister Mary Shippy of Freeport, IL, sister in law Barb Shippy of Freeport, IL; sister in laws though marriage: Carol Korn of Shullsburg, WI; Marlene (Herb) Herbst of Gratiot, WI; as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews. Denny was preceded in death by his parents; Leland and Nellie Shippy, his brothers: Leland Jr. (Beatrice) Shippy, James Shippy, Don Shippy, Gene (Beth) Shippy. A funeral service with Christian burial will be held on Saturday, January 6th, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at the Apple River Stagecoach Event Center (446 East Hickory Street, Apple River, IL) with Pastor Michelle Knight officiating. Burial will be held at the Gratiot ME Cemetery in Gratiot, Wisconsin. A visitation will be held from 2:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church (209 Clinton St, Warren, IL 61087) on Friday, January 5th, 2024. A visitation will also be held on Saturday, January 6, from 10:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. at the Apple River Stagecoach Event Center. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Denny's name.