Eric L. Shipman

By | November 29, 2013

Eric L. Shipman, age 73, of Oak Hill, Ohio, went home to be with The Lord on Tuesday, November 26, 2013. He was born on October 29, 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio. He lived in Northern Ohio until moving to Oak Hill in 1982.

Eric is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Jane Shipman. Also surviving are his three sons, Shawn (Connie) of Edina, Minnesota; Eric II (Janet) of Garrettsville, Ohio; Brett (Rhonda) of Oak Hill; grandchildren, Miranda (Alex) Morton and Jessica Ford, all of Edina, Minnesota; Marie (Aaron) Rauber of Ravenna, Ohio; Eric III of Stow, Ohio; David “Doc” Clegg (Alyssa) of North Carolina; Louie of the World; Janey Faye and Slade of Oak Hill; great-grandchildren, Lily Clegg of North Carolina; Pierson and Hamilton Morton of Edina, Minnesota; sister, Wendy Ford of Akron; brother, Craig Shipman of Michigan; nephews, Dana (Kristin) Keller of Hudson, Ohio; nieces, Erica (Paul) Tingle of Washington DC; April Keller of Akron, Ohio; Reid (Joanne) Shipman of Michigan and Corey Shipman of Michigan; sister-in-law, Mary (Bob) Lane of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; brother-in-law, John (Regina) Proctor of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Also surviving are many great-nieces and great-nephews. Also a very “deer” friend, Norman Pelton of Lonedell, Missouri.

Eric was preceded in death by his mother, Joan Myers and step-father, George Myers of Akron, Ohio.

Eric was the owner of Lakeview Grocery and Sporting Goods for 31 years. He loved to hunt, fish, and trap. He loved to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, and Cleveland Indians. He was never happier than when he was out in the woods, fields, and streams. He considered that to be “God’s Church.”

Eric was involved in and supported many organizations through the years. He was a lifetime member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, National Rifle Association, Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, Ohio State Trappers Association, Fur Takers of America, and the National Trappers Association.

He was also a past member of the Wildlife Legislative Fund of America, League of Ohio Sportsman, Ohio Federation of Conservative Clubs, the Ohio Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation, Kent Lunker Luggers Bass Club, Oak Hill Lunker Hunters Bass Club, Ohio Fur Buyers Association, Outdoor Writers of Ohio, Outdoor Writers of America, Ducks Unlimited, past board member of Goodyear Hunting and Fishing Club, and past Director of Portage County Animal Protective League.

He was a writer for the Jackson Journal-Herald and Outdoor Journal, writing articles on trapping. He always ended his columns with, “May you chains be tight.”

Eric received many awards in his lifetime, including: Cook Coffee President’s Performance Award for the Toledo Branch in 1965; Best of Show at the America and Canadian Sportsman Show in Cleveland, Ohio in 1981; Fur Takers of America Proficiency World Champion 1984; and Fur Takers of America Organizer of the Year 1984.

Eric served as President of the Ohioans for Wildlife Conservation, Portage County. Also, from 1976-1982 (that saved trapping) and after for Jackson County; as Banquet Chairman for National Wild Turkey Federation (Appalachian Longbeard Chapter); Convention Chairman for Fur Takers National Convention in 1985 in Portsmouth, Ohio; President of Portage and Jackson County Federation of Conservation Clubs.

Eric began teaching Hunter and Trapper Education in 1977 and continued to do so for many years. He was very involved in Fur Takers of America. He was the Ohio Organizer and President of Ohio Fur Takers Chapter 8-E.

Eric was a Portage North Hot Stove League Coach and served as the Secretary and Treasurer of the League. He also was a High School Baseball Umpire for the OHSAA. Eric was a policeman in Hiram, Ohio, and Deputy Sheriff of Portage, County.

At Eric’s request there will be no services. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations be made to the National Wild Turkey Federation, P.O. Box 530, Edgefield, SC 29824-0530; National Fur Takers Association, c/o Carol Krumwiede, 408 S. Oak, Box 3, Buckley, IL 60918; or the National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030. Services are under the direction of the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Oak Hill. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillumfuneralhomes.com.

via Eric L. Shipman – www.theTelegramNews.com | Jackson and Vinton County’s Home Page – Jackson OH, Wellston OH, Oak Hill OH, McArthur OH, Coalton OH, Handen OH, Wilkesville OH, Zaleski OH.