Congressman George E. Shipley, (retired), 76, of Olney and Big Pine Key, Fla. died peacefully Saturday June 28, 2003 at his residence in Olney, surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren.  Memorial service at Stasi-Grove Funeral Home in Olney, Military rites performed by Richland County Veterans Organizations.

Mr. Shipley was born on April 21, 1927 in Richland County, the son of Jesse W. and Mamie (Jones) Shipley. He married Gloria Ann Watson on July 6, 1947 in Piggett, Ark. She survives.

Aftering serving in the Marine Corps on Guam in World War II, he returned home and served as a Richland County Deputy Sheriff from 1950 to 1954. He was elected Sheriff of Richland County in 1954 and served one term. In 1958 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from the 23rd District in Illinois and served 20 years in that capacity. While in Congress, he served as the chairman of the Appropriations Committee and on the Housing & Urban Development Committee. He was instrumental in the building of East Fork Lake. From 1978 until 1995 he was a lobster fisherman in Big Pine Key, Fla. He was a member of Olney Elks Club of Olney, a 32nd Degree Mason and was a member of First Baptist Church in Olney.

Mr. Shipley is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Ann Shipley of Olney; two sons, George E. "Buddy" Shipley Jr. of Evansville, Ind. and Robb Edward Allen Shipley and his wife, Amelia of Olney; three daughters, Lucinda Jane "Cindy" Lewis of Olney, Mimi Fehrenbacher and her husband, Darrell of Olney and Shawn Marie Dwyer and her husband, John of Key West, Fla.; two brothers-in-law, Don Watson and his wife, Joanne of Olney and Allen Welker and his wife, Vernie of Olney; a sister, Naomi Mackey of Olney; two sister-in-laws, Charlene Stabler of Boca Raton, Fla. and Joyce Shipley of Olney; several nieces and nephews and 17 grandchildren and a great-grandchild expected in September.

Mr. Shipley was preceded in death by both parents, an infant son, Charles Jesse Shipley, three brothers, Jesse Willard Shipley, Paul Shipley and William Shipley, and a sister, Irene Bookman.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)