Ellen Joyce & Norman Wayne Shipley's Obituary
Ellen Joyce Shipley, age 81, and her husband, Norman Wayne Shipley, 92, passed away on February 3, 2023. They were married on November 23, 2006, in Vestaburg, MI, and were loving companions for 16 years.Ellen "Joyce" was born in Gladwin, MI on November 3,1941, to Dewey and Inez (Molesworth) Bruner. She graduated as valedictorian of her class at Winegar's School in Gladwin, then worked as a nurse aide and met her first husband, Dennis Day. They raised three children before parting ways, and she worked as a physical therapy aide for over 20 years. Later in life, Joyce worked for the Commission on Aging as a senior companion where she met Norm, who was also a senior companion. Joyce enjoyed cooking and baking for her family, crafting, and solving word puzzles.Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Robert Bruner, George Bruner, Vera Grove, Elpha Murray, Florence Ridley-Rhines, Fran Day, Charles "Elmer" Bruner, Nancy Mills. She is survived by her brother, Lawrence "Bo" (Jeanene) Bruner of Williamston, by her children, Carmen (Joe) France of Coleman, Roger (Chris) Day of Rosebush, and Penny Day (Chris Hammond) of Midland; six grandchildren, Joe (Kara) Samalik of Gladwin, Frank Samalik of Gladwin, Brittani (Nathan) Simon of Pinconning, Jacob (Haley) Day of Gamerco, NM, Katie (Garrett) Woods of Mt. Pleasant, and Philip Day (Lorena Smith) of Mt. Pleasant. Also surviving are her great-grandchildren: Aiden, Ryan, Avalynn, Emma, Lilee, Judah, Wyatt, Jack, Saoirse, Janet, Oliver, and Sawyer.Norman Shipley was born on February 3, 1931 in Michigan City, IN to Ernest and Nellie (Hare) Shipley. His parents passed away while he and his six brothers were children. Norm did not complete school beyond the sixth grade, but instead joined the Air Force at the age of 15, having changed the date on his birth certificate to that of an 18-year-old. He served in Guam and Panama and was honorably discharged before taking up farming and starting a family with his first wife, Ethel Jennings. After retiring from Livingston Farm and raising feeder pigs, he turned to a hobby of raising goats, affectionately calling them his "kids."Norm was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Ethel (Jennings) Shipley, and his brothers Lawrence, Vernon, Clarence, Ralph, and Melvin Shipley, and David "George" (Jan) Kaufman of Prescott Valley, AZ. He is survived by daughter Melody (Kevin) Newell of Michigan, grandchildren, Micheal (Jillian) Smith of Wyoming and Chrystal Smith of Michigan, andgreat-grandchildren, Taylor, Gwenth, Devon, and Kinsley.Joyce and Norm both loved to attend gospel jamborees and were members of Pine River Church of God, where their combined memorial service will be held on Saturday, February18. A visitation hour will begin at 10:00 am, with the service following at 11:00 am, Pastor Clarence Smith officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to the Commission on Aging.
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