Mary Ellen Shipman, 89, of Rockford passed away Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011, at her home in Bickford House, after a brief illness.

Mary was born Nov. 1, 1922, in Covington County, Ala., daughter of David Howell and Martha Jane (Coon) Adams. She was a graduate of Opp High School and married Ray M. Shipman on July 9, 1941, and lived the majority of her life in Troy, where she was an active member of First Baptist Church. During her lifetime, she was an active partner in her husband’s electrical contracting business, Pike County Electric Co., serving as secretary and bookkeeper for more than 30 years. Mary lived the final 6½ years of her life in Rockford, where she participated in the lives of one of her daughters, one of her grandsons and two of her great-grandsons and made many new friends. Survivors include daughters, Aloma (Woody) Morin of Troy, Wanda (Kenneth) Eutsler of Burns, Tenn., and Kathy (John) Mecklenburg of Rockford; grandchildren, Terri (Chris) Wade, Vicki (Jeff) Pinson, Stephanie Speigner, Jeffrey Morin, Chris (Stormy) Eutsler, Richard (Rebecca) Eutsler, Dan (Kathleen) Eutsler, David (Nanette) Mecklenburg and Dr. Brian (Catherine) Mecklenburg; and great-grandchildren, Cody Barron, Hannah Pinson, Hollan Speigner, Sydnye Speigner, Kaitlin Eutsler, Braden Eutsler, Ethelia Eutsler, Gavin Eutsler, David Matthew Mecklenburg and William Mecklenburg. She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Ray M. Shipman; and her son, Ray M. Shipman Jr. The family wishes to thank the staff of Bickford House of Rockford, Northern Illinois Hospice, and caregivers Becky and Millie for their care and loving support. They were a tremendous help and inspiration to Mary. Special thanks also to Dr. Ralph Everson and Dr. Stephen Minore for her medical care. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at Dillard Funeral Home in Troy. Private family services with burial in Green Hills Cemetery in Troy. Local arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her memory to The SwedishAmerican Foundation, 1415 East State Street, Suite 100, Rockford, IL 61104. For more information, visit delehantyfh.com.