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February 28, 2012

Forest R. Shipman

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TRAVERSE CITY — Forest Reuben Shipman, 95, of Interlochen, formerly of Wacousta, Wis., passed away Feb. 26, 2012, in Traverse City.

He was born Sept. 5, 1916, to Reuben and Pansy (Rowley) Shipman. Mr. Shipman graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in 1934, and attended Michigan State University, graduating in 1939 with a degree in Forestry. He was a veteran of World War II.

Forest worked for many years in Lansing at Cottage Gardens. In 1976, he started a nursery business in Traverse City, where he worked with two of his sons until his retirement. He was an avid sportsman and a former member of Ingham County Conservation Club. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father and his sons, and was a Little League coach and Boy Scout leader.

Forest was a member of Wacousta Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star, and a long-time member of Wacousta Community United Methodist Church. Upon moving to Interlochen, he became active in Grant United Methodist Church and Habitat for Humanity.

Forest married Martha Patterson, who preceded him death in 1994 after 57 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Evelyn Roell.

Forest is survived by his children, Charlene Lipka, of Sedona, Ariz., Shirley (John) Walter, of East Lansing, Dean (Zita) Shipman, of Traverse City, Dale (Penny) Shipman, of Bowling Green, Ohio, Don (Sue) Shipman, of Interlochen, and Fred (Ruth) Shipman, of Traverse City; his sister, Harriette (Ron) Henrickson, of Lafayette, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and a niece and nephew.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at the Peters & Murray Funeral Home, Grand Ledge. Visitation will take place from 1:30 p.m. until service time. Interment will be in Wacousta Cemetery (Wis.).

Memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity, Grand Traverse Chapter, 1129 Woodmere Ave., Ste. 4, Traverse City, MI 49686; or Grand Traverse Pavilions, 1000 Pavilions Circle, Traverse City, MI 49684.

Online condolences may be made at www.petersandmurrayfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are being made by Peters & Murray Funeral Home, Grand Ledge.

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