Steven Duane Shippy, 79 of Freeport, Illinois passed away peacefully after a long battle with COPD on Friday, September 25, 2026. Steve was born on November 4, 1946, to Duane and Joslyn (Berget) Shippy in Monroe, Wisconsin. Steve lived in McConnell, Illinois and attended Lena-Winslow High School. Upon graduation, Steve entered the skilled trades apprentice training program at Micro Switch and graduated as a journeyman model maker May of 1968. Shortly after receiving his journeyman certificate, Steve enlisted in the Unitec States Air Force and served 7 years during the Vietnam era. He was trained as a flight simulator specialist and was stationed at several bases including Eglin AFB in Florida and Lakenheath AFB in England. After his discharge from the Air Force, he returned to Stephenson County and began working again at Micro Switch as an electronic engineering technician. Steve was excellent at his trade and received several engineering technical awards. He received a number of promotions and retired as a Senior Manufacturing Engineer after working in many departments in his 34 years of service. After retiring from Micro Switch, Steve enjoyed his "second career" of driving delivery truck for his friend Joe Green's business Hlava Industrial Welding.

Steve enjoyed growing up in the close-knit community of McConnell and often took the opportunity to tell stories about the good times he had with his close friends there. He especially enjoyed pheasant and goose hunting, fishing on his beloved Pec, and the many trips to Canada with his lifetime McConnell friends. Steve was also a highly accomplished trap and skeet shooter. He won many state championships in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri and also European multi service skeet tournaments during his time being stationed at Lakenheath AFB. Steve was a member of the McConnell American Legion Post 1225 and Friends of the Pec. Steve is survived by his sister Sandra of Santa Monica, California, his stepson Steve Kunkle Freeport, Illinois, and many friends in and around the Freeport area.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents Duane and Joslyn Shippy.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, October 14 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 am at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, Illinois.

Burial will follow at the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL.

A memorial has been established in his name.