Charles "Charlie" Shipley

Charles (Charlie) Leo Shipley, 72, of Swanton, Ohio, passed away at his home the of morning of May 6th, 2025. Charlie was born on August 1st, 1952 in Norwalk, Ohio to Louise Ann (Widman) Shipley and Charles Resaw Shipley. Charlie was the older brother to five siblings. The family moved from Norwalk to Maumee, Ohio, in 1964. Charlie graduated from St. John’s Jesuit High School in 1970. Charlie was very proud to attend the University of Toledo, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education. Legend has it, Carol met him when he was grilling burgers at the UT Catholic Alumni Club cookout, and they married in May 1981. Charlie and Carol moved to Carol’s family farm on Bancroft Street in Swanton, Ohio where they raised their daughters, Amy and Caroline.

As a new father, Charlie worked at Pilliod Cabinet Company and then spent most of his career in a variety of positions at Johnson Controls. A longtime member of United Auto Workers. Charlie delighted in the learning process and completed an MBA at the Heidelberg University School of Business. Charlie was specifically attracted to math and taught the subject at Owens Community College and Lourdes University.

A devout Roman Catholic, Charlie was an active parishioner at Holy Trinity, Little Flower, and Immaculate Conception Churches at different times throughout the years. In retirement, his deep commitment to his faith community manifested in leading the Rosary, sometimes twice a day! His faith also inspired him to make sacrifices to send both daughters to Catholic grade and high school.

Charlie was a patient and gentle soul. He also loved telling stories (the more embellished the better!) and often laughed at his own jokes. Charlie loved to read and passed the love of books on to his daughters. He particularly loved science fiction and Star Trek and always carried a book with him. He also loved to travel, and took his family to Disney World, Niagara Falls, and Spain. Charlie loved gardening, riding his John Deere, and working outside tending plants, especially vegetables and hyacinths.

Charlie is survived by his beloved wife Carol Ann Shipley; his daughters, Dr. Amy Shipley (A. Wilkie) and Dr. Caroline Shipley (Dr. Erik Scaltriti); his brother, Mike (Eva) Shipley; sisters, Mary Lou Barker, Judy (Jim) Mersing, Karen (Chris) Baker, Jenny (Bob) Myers; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Louise Shipley, mother-in-law Ella Reiter, brothers-in-law Roosevelt Hatcher II and Edward Barker, and niece Lauren Baker.

Visitation will be at the Wiegel Funeral Home in Swanton on Tuesday, May 13th from 3:00 pm -7:00 pm. Family and friends are invited to bring photos of Charlie for display at the visitation. The funeral will take place on Wednesday, May 14th at 10:30 am, with public visitation beginning at 9:30 am at Marygrove Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1750 N. Raab Rd., Swanton.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends are invited to provide donations to the Monastery of the Visitation, 1745 Parkside Blvd, Toledo, Ohio, 43607.