John Wayne Shipley dies at 42

DOWNEY - Former Downey resident John Wayne Shipley, of Wellington, Kansas, died Jan. 28 at his home. He was 42.He was born the son of Skip and Brenda (Richardson) Shipley on March 23, 1969 in Downey. On March 11, 1989, John and Melinda Martin were married in Norwalk. They celebrated 22 years of marriage. Prior to his diagnosis of MS, he was a journeyman electrician in the oil industry. In 2005, the family moved from California to a farm in Wellington, Kansas, where they had resided since. Survivors include his wife, Melinda; sons, Daniel Wayne Shipley and Andrew W. Shipley; daughter, Elizabeth M.I. Shipley; parents, Skip and Brenda Shipley; brother, Jeff Shipley; grandmother, Mary Richardson; and several extended family members. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Vern Richardson. Funeral services were held Feb. 3 at First Free Will Baptist Church in Wellington. In lieu of flowers, family requested donations to the church at 1219 N. Plum, Wellington, Kansas, 67152 or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

********** Published: February 9, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 43