PATRICIA ANN “PATTI” SHIPMAN

Patricia Ann “Patti” Shipman, 70, of Aurora, passed away on Thursday, Aug.13, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield.
She was born Dec. 23, 1955, in Miami, Okla. to Wheeler Loren and Leola Edmonson. 
She attended Glendale High School in Springfield, where she was a cheerleader, and later began a career as a commodities broker. It was at work that a handsome former Marine named James Shipman walked into her office and into her life. 
They were married in 1987 and built a life together in Aurora.
She was a longtime member and deacon of First Presbyterian Church of Aurora.
She lost her mother and older sister, Karen, to cancer while still in high school, and later lost Shipman in 2018 and her daughter Kimberly in 2020.
Later in life, she reconnected with Steve Wageman, whom she had known since high school. Steve was a loving and devoted partner to Patti in her final years.
She is survived by her daughter Kristin Gray and her husband, Daniel, of Fort Worth, Texas; her son James “Jimmy” Shipman III and his wife, Christiane, of Austin, Texas; her daughter Sara Kendrick and her husband, Brian, of Charlotte, N. C.; and her daughter Kathryn Shipman of Charlotte, N. C.  her six grandchildren; her brother, Gary Edmonson and his wife, Sandy, of Tacoma, Wash; her loving companion, Steve Wageman.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Shipman; her daughter, Kimberly Waldron; her parents, Wheeler Loren and Leola Edmonson; her older sister, Karen (Edmonson) Quaif; and her beloved Par.
A memorial service celebrating Patti’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10,  at the First Presbyterian Church of Aurora, with a Celebration of Life reception to follow.  Arrangements are under the direction of Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Patti’s honor to the Aurora Dawg Pound.