Donald W. Shipler
March 26, 1932 ~ March 11, 2008
Resided in:
Silver Cliff, CO
Donald W. Shipler, 75, passed away March 11, 2008. Survived by his wife, Barbara Eberling Shipler, of the family home in Silver Cliff, Colo.; children, David Shipler of Colorado Springs, Kathy (Jennifer Mullen) Eberling of Pueblo and Steve Eberling of Montrose, Colo.; sister, Dixie (Pat) Rea of Pueblo; brother, Jerry Shipler of Seattle, Wash.; grandchildren, Twyla Shipler and Savannah Schlecht. Preceded in death by his first wife, Juanita Shipler in 1988; son, Britt Shipler on April 18, 1998; and his parents, Orville and Twila Shipler.
Donald was born March 26, 1932, in Sterling, Kansas, and resided most of his life in Pueblo. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a self-employed, independent commercial painter and later a residential painter. He loved the last 20 years of his life in Silver Cliff; he truly enjoyed his friends and the mountains. Donald was an avid radio controlled plane enthusiast. He had the only multi-controlled, single-engine gyro hover craft. He also invented the 'Speed Stix.'
There will be no viewing. Cremation, Montgomery & Steward Crematorium. Memorial service, 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2008, in the Montgomery & Steward Chapel, 1317 N. Main St., in Pueblo. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Custer County Medical Clinic, c/o Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors, 1317 N. Main St., Pueblo, Colo. 81003. Online condolences, MontgomerySteward.com
My deepest sympathies Mr. Shipler was a kind and the most affable man i have ever met. Jeff
where do I start! – you will be missed. The best times I remember with Don was when LD, Don and I would go out and fly our R/C planes during the winter on the snow – Don made me a pair of skis to put on my huge telemaster – we would fly until we were to cold to stand it and then come in to Don’s garage and he would fire up that old potbelly stove and we would talk about what plane we wanted to build next.
I can’t forget a day when it was just Don and I and we went out to fly – we had dubbed it our $1000 dollar day. It started with me flying a brand new biplane and I crashed it on takeoff (-$250), next Don flies his plane – I think a stick with a nice 90 four cycle engine and lands into the fence and hits the engine right on the top bar – another $300 down the drain, then to top it off, I put a camcorder on my plane and lost the camcorder during flight -$550. So at then end of the day which lasted about 45min. we just looked at each other and just sighed! I said, well Don at least next time we fly it can only get better!
Barb, take care of yourself – I am glad you met my wife, Lillie.
Brian Sommers
Barb, I will never forget the wonderful times spent with you and Don at your home. The best was when Don took Twyla and I on a ride on his 4 wheeler. I am grateful that everyone in Britt’s and Twyla’s life became part of mine. Don was a fabulous man who endured more pain with a smile than anyone I know. Love, Vicky
Hi Barb: We are sorry to learn of Don’s passing. He was a friend to us and we knew he cared for us. He was a good man. We hope you are doing OK now that he is gone. Love, Georgia and Dick
Dear Dave,
I’m sorry to read about your dad. I haven’t talked to you for quite a while but still think about the good times we had growing up. Your dad was always a very cool guy and brings back pleasant memories. Take care and hopefully we’ll see each other again sometime.
Sincerely, John
Our family has such wonderful memories of time spent with Don. We looked forward to having him with us on holidays and visiting him in Westcliffe. He always had something fun and interesting to talk about. He was a great guy and will be missed.