Ervin Leroy Shipman was born March 3, 1928 at Norfolk, Nebraska to Elmer and Esther (Kurpgeweit) Shipman.  He passed away on February 27, 2017 following a brief illness at Haven Rehabilitation Center in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 88 years.

Ervin graduated from Fairfax High School in 1945 and attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering from 1946-1947 where he studied welding.  He honorably served in the United States Army (1952-1954), Army Corps Reserves (1954-1960) and the United States Navy Reserves (1968-1970).  He was united in marriage to Daryl Margery Hermsen in Bonesteel, South Dakota on May 22, 1954.

Following their marriage, the Shipman's resided in South Dakota.  Here Ervin continued his work in construction and welding, participating in the building of many dams on the Missouri River.  In 1961, Ervin and his family moved to Tucson, Arizona where he began work welding silos for the Titan Missile Project.  He also worked as a welder in the copper mining industry, as well as nuclear power plants.  He retired in 1983 after sustaining a debilitating injury.

Ervin was a member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Union 627 and the American Legion Post #36.  He enjoyed spending time with friends, family and finding new hobbies.  His sense of humor was infectious and could brighten anyone's day.

Ervin was preceded in death by his wife, parents and two brothers: Eugene and Norman.  He is survived by his daughter Lana (Stephan) Gintz of Tucson, AZ; granddaughters: Heather Gintz of Tucson, AZ and Stefnie Gintz of El Paso, TX; great-grandson Brantley of Tucson, AZ; his brother, Donald of Wyoming and his sister Maxine Delaney of South Dakota, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, March 10, 2017 at 1:00 PM at the Rosebud Cemetery in Bonesteel, South Dakota.