John Wesley Shipley

John Wesley Shipley, 72, of Steele, Mo., passed away Tuesday night. He was born in Manila to Homer and Geneva Shipley on Oct. 18, 1949. He graduated high school and attended college in Blytheville. He was of the Baptist faith.

Mr. Shipley was a professional Santa with Cherry Hill Productions. He was a Shriner, Master Mason, and Scottish Rite. He loved to help people. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle. More than anything he loved his family. Family was everything to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diane Shipley, of the home; two sons, John Michael Shipley and Stephanie Rothbaum, and Wesley and Jeannie Shipley, all of Steele, Mo.; four grandchildren, Tabitha and Garrett Drips, of St. Cloud, Fla., Rebecca and Harrison Hughes, of Cooter, Mo., Taz Allen Shipley, of Gosnell and Sky Elizabeth-Ann Shipley, of Steele, Mo.; six great-grandchildren; and other family and many friends that will miss him dearly.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Carney Funeral Home in Blytheville with Harvey Joe Tillman officiating. Visitation will be Friday, March 4, 6-8 p.m. Burial will be in Pemiscot Memorial Gardens, Caruthersville, Mo. Condolences may be offered at carneyfuneralhome.com.