Virginia M. “Ginger” Shipley, 77, of New Holland, Ohio died Monday, May 20, 2024, at 6:22 p.m. at the Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus where she had been a patient one day.
Ginger was born October 21, 1946, in Columbus, Ohio to Wilbert Charles and Mildred Erskins Benedum. She moved to Washington Court House in1960, from Columbus and was a 1964 graduate of Washington High School. She had lived in the New Holland community since 1969.
She was a member of the New Holland United Methodist Church where she had taught Sunday school and often delivered the children’s message. She also assisted with vacation Bible school. She loved to sing and listen to music. She formerly served as mayor of New Holland and had been a volunteer at the New Holland school. She loved to crochet and made many afghans for family, friends, weddings, births and graduations. She always had an open ear to listen and would do anything she could to help. She was honest, even if you didn’t want to hear it. She was an amazing wife, mom, grandma, and friend. She loved kids and was a “nanny” to many.
She was preceded in death by her parents and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Grover and Helen Shipley.
Ginger is survived by her husband of 56-years, Grover Richard “Dick” Shipley, Jr., three children and their spouses, Victoria and David Climer of Washington Court House, Charles and Cheri Shipley of Bloomingburg and Kimberly and Dennis Bick of Washington Court House, six grandchildren, Jennifer Taylor, Samantha (Greg) Barbour, Nicholas Dresch, Trey Climer, Tori (Chris) Wehner and Ginna Climer; eight great grandchildren, Ian Taylor, Lexi Scott, Lane Scott, Leo Dresch, Aubreyann Taylor, Evelyn Dresch, Gwendolyn Wehner and Haley Barbour; two sisters, Mary Ellen (David) Kinkel of Kearneysville, WV and Nancy Benedum of Pickerington, several nieces and nephews and many friends.
The funeral will be Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in New Holland with the Rev. Linda Crew, pastor at the New Holland Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in the New Holland Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship, at the New Holland Methodist Church, will follow the graveside service.
Friends may call at the funeral home in New Holland from 11 a.m. Tuesday until the time of the service.
Memorial contributions may be made St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or The Arbor Day Foundation, 211 North 12th Street, Lincoln, NE 62508.
www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Ginger’s family today and always. She was indeed a wonderful lady with a ready smile and a loving heart. Everyone who knew her will miss her. May God comfort your hearts with precious memories that linger ever near. Love to all!