The Honorable Dean J. Shipman

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, the former Ann End of Worcester, Mass. on October 9, 2017.

He was born October 8, 1931, in Charlotte, Mich. He grew up in Escanaba, Mich. and graduated from Escanaba High School. He then went on to Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass., on a Naval Officer Candidate scholarship, earning a B.S. degree in political science. The day he graduated from Holy Cross; he was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. After earning his wings as a fighter pilot, he moved from active duty to the Reserves Services, to pursue a Juris Doctor degree at the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor, Mich. He continued to serve his country as a Naval officer in the Reserves, for 32 years, reaching the rank of captain, while continuing his career as a lawyer and judge. In 1968, he became the first elected district court judge serving Delta County. He served in that capacity for 16 years. For a period, he was both district and probate judge for Delta County. In May of 1985, by appointment of Governor James Blanchard, he became the Delta County Circuit Judge and was re-elected by the people for two consecutive six-year terms. During his career he also served by appointment or elected on many Michigan State Legal Committees, professional associations, and social clubs.

While pursuing his education, he met the love of his life Ann End of Worcester, Mass. They were married in Worchester and honeymooned on Martha’s Vineyard in 1956. They started a family and over the course of finishing school, active naval service, and law school, found their way back to Escanaba, where they raised five children: Dean, Chris, Susan, Elizabeth, and Sara.

While being a husband, father and judge he found time to teach his children and friends the love of sailing and boating in general. He could be found at the Escanaba Yacht Club on most summer weekends enjoying his time on their boat with family and friends. He was known to be quite competitive on the racecourse both locally and throughout the Green Bay Yachting Association.

When the weather turned cool and the boat was put into winter storage you could find him duck, goose, and deer hunting at the family farm with family and friends.

Life in retirement was not sitting on the porch drinking lemonade. Dean and Ann enjoyed a life of travel. There first big trip was the “The Great Loop” Which starts on Lake Michigan, down the Mississippi River, across the Gulf of Mexico, through Florida, via Lake Okeechobee, up the intercoastal waterways, through NY harbor, then across Lake Ontario, Lake Huron and back to Lake Michigan. This trip took a year. With side trips to witness the birth of three grandchildren. Later, they became active cruise ship adventurers. Highlights were going through the Panama Canal, around Cape Horn, and sailing through the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, several family trips to enjoy their expanding family to 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

His life touched many people who were in his courtroom, the local community, on the water, in the woods or he just bumped into carrying on his daily life. He seemed to have a knack for providing life guidance whether you thought you needed it or not. He was quite the storyteller and loved sharing his tales to whoever would listen.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Doris Shipman and his wife Ann in 2017.

Dean is survived by Joan Mattson, who has been at his side for the last two years; his sister, Sondra Gunderman; five children, Dean Shipman Jr. (Renee Dyer-Shipman), Christopher Shipman (Kelly), Susan (Andrew Silverberg), Elizabeth Shipman (Michael Allen), Sara Shipman Myers (Kevin); and 18 grandchildren, Kristofer Johnson (Leah), Alex Shipman, Molly Shipman, Hailey McEntyre (Travers), Jessica Shipman (Ezekiel Bowden), Madison Shipman (Tanner Stegall), Julie Krogh (Erickson), Stephanie Ambush (Darren), David Silverberg, Morgan Mills, Taylour Mills, Cameron AllenShipman, Selena AllenShipman, Nathan AllenShipman, Sean AllenShipman, Samuel A Myers, Maxwell C Myers, Gracyn A Myers, and three great-grandchildren: Kaleb Johnson, Kensington Johnson, and Lily Tatum.

A Catholic Mass will be held at St. Joseph Church of Escanaba, on September 23 at 11 a.m. This will be followed by a military salute and celebration of life lunch at the Escanaba Yacht Club, starting at 12:30 p.m.

Expressions of sympathy may be directed to the Shipman family, 600 Lake Shore Drive, Escanaba, MI 49829. In lieu of flower donations, please make a contribution to the local Alzheimer’s Association.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting online at www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net.