C. Bennett Shipley

C. Bennett Shipley, 1311 Kirkland Village Circle, Bethlehem, PA, former resident of Towanda, PA and Ganoga Lake, Pa. died at Kirkland Village, Bethlehem, PA on Sunday, May 10, 2009.

Bennett was born in Philadelphia on Oct. 30, 1924 the second child of Dr. Vincent T. and Mrs. Margretta Pearce Shipley, 3810 Walnut St. Philadelphia. Attending Haverford School, later graduating from Lower Merion High School in June of 1942, he was employed by the Provident Bank of Philadelphia, until Jan. 1943 when he served in the U. S. Army in Europe, USA and Japan. He was discharged from the service in March of 1946.

Married to Hazel Downes, this marriage produced three children, Susan Shipley, Law, Charles B. Shipley, Jr. and Melissa Tyson Downes Shipley Bonsall. Bennett was employed by the R. A. Downes & Co. Insurance firm of Philadelphia, Pa.

In June 1960, he relocated to Harrisburg, Pa. and traveled central Pennsylvania, becoming a partner in the insurance firm of Henry and Rockey, General Agents for property and casualty insurance. In September of 1963 he married Freda Hall Ransom of Towanda and established residence in Towanda where they lived for many years operating Ransoms Insurance and Travel before retiring to Ganoga Lake, Sullivan Co. and then to Bethlehem Kirkland Village Retirement home.

Bennett served as President of the Towanda Chamber of Commerce, a Past Master of The Blue Lodge Masons, a director of the Towanda Public Library where he served for twenty five years as Treasurer, Past President of Ganoga Lake Association, Past President of Sullivan County Library, former member of Towanda and Dushore Lions Club, Towanda and Eagles Mere Country Clubs. His interests were family, traveling hunting and golfing.

While at Kirkland Village he had served as Chairperson of Resident Activities, and formerly chairperson of Employees Appreciation Committee.

Ben was a member of The First Presbyterian Church of Towanda, Pa. and an associate member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem. A memorial service will be planned at Kirkland Village at a later date with burial, after cremation, at Oak Hill Cemetery, Towanda at the convenience of the family.

Surviving are his wife, of forty five years, Freda Shipley, a niece Elizabeth Seiffert, Daughter Susan Shipley Law and son in law, Dr. William Law, of Pittsburgh, Son Charles B. Shipley, Jr. and wife Kimberly Sharpless Shipley, of Malvern, Pa., Daughter Melissa Shipley Bonsall and husband Samuel Bonsall, Jr. of Paoli, PA. Grandchildren Megan Shipley, Jody Shipley Bortoletto and husband Federico, William C. Law and wife Marianna, Amanda Law Hucks and husband Warren, Holly Beth Law, Kathryn Shipley Law, Tarra Corrine Bonsall, Mallory Downes Bonsall, Charles B. Shipley III, and Emma Coles Shipley and twin great grandchildren, William Aidan Law and Melanie Regan Law.

Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at 10:30 A.M. at Oak Hill Cemetery, Towanda, PA. Military Honors will be accorded by members of the United States Army Honors Detail.

Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, Towanda, Pa., the Towanda Public Library or the First Presbyterian Church, of Bethlehem, PA.

Memorials may be directed to the Employee Appreciation Fund, Kirkland Village, 1311 Kirkland Village Circle, Bethlehem, PA 18017

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA.

To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to homerfuneralhome.com