Funeral services for Melvin E. Shipley, 76, will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31, 2009, at the Lingle Community Presbyterian Church with Rev. Curtis Hill officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery. Melvin died Aug. 26, 2009, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Neb. Visitation will be at the funeral home Monday from 9 a.m. to noon and briefly prior to the service at the church.

A memorial has been established to the Lingle Volunteer Fire Department. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com.

Melvin was born Dec. 14, 1932, in Carroll, Neb., the son of Lyle and Meta (Brogren) Shipley. He spent his early years in Carroll and then moved to Gretna, Neb., where his parents owned a filling station. He left school early to support his family. He moved to Potter, Neb., to farm with family and friends.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1953 and was discharged in 1955. He met Pauline Harding in England in 1954 and 10 months later she came to the United States. They were married Jan. 9, 1956, in Sidney, Neb. They moved to Dalton, Neb., where they farmed for 10 years. During that time he also worked for Bridgeport Equipment.

They moved to Bridgeport, Neb., for two years before moving to Lingle to farm the Lingle Ranch for 19 years. He bought his own farm in 1987 and moved there to farm the rest of his life.

Melvin was an avid reader and self-taught in many areas. He was meticulous in the maintenance of his farm and equipment. He loved anything to do with farming. He was a member of the Eagles in Bridgeport, the Lingle American Legion, served on the Gratten Ditch Company Board and managed the Lower Bovee Drainage.

Melvin is survived by his wife, Pauline of Lingle; a son, Mark Shipley and his wife Mauna of Lingle; a daughter, Charlene Shipley of Casper; four granddaughters, Porscha Beyeler and Sara Wagner of Casper and Malia and Morea Shipley of Lingle; a great-grandson Skyler Wagner of Casper; and a sister, Vonnadel Meyer of Sheridan, Wyo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Robert McDonald; and one infant brother.





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