Junice Eileen Isely Shippee, entered her heavenly home on August 27, 2026. She was born in Washington Township, Green County, Wisconsin on August 15, 1934. She was the first daughter and third child of Willis and Leona (Hefty) Isely and big sister to seven other siblings. She graduated from Puddledock Grade School in 1948, and Argyle High School in 1952.

On the family farm she helped grow a big garden, chopped wood for the wood stove, cooked and baked many tasty meals and desserts. While her mom took care of grandma, Junice took care of the home. She had a lifelong personal relationship with Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior – much through the ministry of the Wisconsin Rural Bible Crusade - learning verses for a free week at camp to being a cook’s helper in her senior years. She was baptized at the Eleroy Bible Church in March of 1984.

After she left home for work she met and married John Shippee in August of 1964, adding John’s children to the family, daughter Paula Sue, and Larry. She forged a strong relationship with them as well as Larry’s children and her great grandson’s, her pen pal George and his younger brother Julian.

She Loved to travel, visiting siblings in Abu Dhabi and Germany, did group trips with seniors through a bank travel program. She supported many charities and was an avid Bears and Nascar fan. Junice worked for Burgess Battery and Newell Industries for many years gaining many friends.

She is survived by brothers- Eldon (Sally), Don (Paula), Alan (Iola); two sisters- Angie Dugan and Imogene (Craig) Wilner; stepdaughter Paula Sue “Susie”; stepson Larry (Anna); grandchildren- Sara (Gabe) Wallace, Mike, Sam, and Emma; great-grandsons- George and Julian; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John in 1975, brothers Daryle, Roger, Erling, sisters JoAnne Bruehlman and Marlys Isely, sisters-in-law Joyce, Carol, Dorothy and Ann, stepmother Charlotte, niece Laurel Bruehlman, nephew Gerald Bruehlman, brothers-in-law Dan Dugan and John Bruehlman.

A private family graveside service will take place at Salem Shippee Cemetery.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on October 5, 2026 at the Leamon Funeral Home, 210 West Main Street, in Lena, Illinois.

A memorial has been established in her name for the Rockford Rescue Mission and the Wisconsin Rural Bible Crusade.

The family would like to express much gratitude to neighbors and friends, Doctors and nurses who have been her support system for many years. In this past year she went from driving friends to appointments to being driven.