Kenneth Howard Shipley, 83, passed away on July 23, 2023 at the Cheney Golden Age Home. The only child of Howard and Ruth Shipley, he lived on a farm near Garden Plain until age 15, when the family moved to Cheney, Kansas. Kenny graduated from Cheney High School in 1958 and attended Hutchinson Junior College and Pittsburg State.

He married Brenda Messmer in 1966 and they lived in Cheney while we worked with Western Auto, Leon Haden and Messmer Grain. Kenny then chose to farm and raise cattle so moved to the Messmer Home Place near Norwich. There he taught his sons, Britt and Brady the value of hard work, his sense of fun and the ability to fix anything. His creativity was shown in his hobbies of metal work and building remote controlled airplanes.

Kenny was a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge in Cheney, member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Midian Shrine and Kingman Ringmasters. He was a member of the USD 331 School Board, Allen Township trustee and faithful member of Norwich Methodist Church.

Kenny was proceeded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Brenda; sons Britt Shipley (Lucy) and Brady Shipley (Andrea) both of Norwich; his beloved grandchildren Jackson, Ava, Ella and Isabelle Shipley.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 27, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with the family at Norwich Methodist Church. Graveside services with Masonic rites will be 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 28 at Mount Pleasant Cemetery with funeral service following at 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Memorials can be made to Norwich Methodist Church, 623 E. Burns, Norwich, Kansas 67118 or Midian Shrine General Fund, Midian Shrine Temple, 130 N. Topeka Ave, Wichita, KS 67202.

Our deepest gratitude to the staff of Cheney Golden Age Home for their gentle, loving care.