Paul Schipper

Paul Schipper of Parkersburg passed away peacefully Saturday, June 26, 2021 at his home surrounded by family. He was born the son of Andrew and Lena (Johnson) Schipper on December 20, 1933, at his family home near Aplington. He received his education in a rural school near Aplington.
Paul served in the United States Army from 1953-1955 and was stationed in Germany where he was in the 1st Quartermaster Company of 1st Infantry Division and achieved the rank of Specialist 4th Class. He was a lifetime member of the Parkersburg American Legion and the Aplington Amvets.
Paul was united in marriage to Irma Meester at the Reformed Church of Stout on December 11, 1956. Together they made their home and farmed south of Parkersburg and welcomed children, Bonnie and Bryan. They moved to Parkersburg in 1980. They rebuilt their home after losing it to the 2008 Parkersburg tornado and then losing their Waverly residence to a flood.
Paul and Irma enjoyed golfing together. Paul played league at Aplington Rec Complex and Beaver Meadows, Parkersburg, where he was proud of making a Hole-In-One twice. Paul and Irma enjoyed traveling to different places, especially fishing trips to Minnesota. Special trips they enjoyed were to Hawaii for their 25th anniversary and Germany for their 50th where they visited friends.
     Paul loved his Lord and was baptized April 1, 1934, at Bethel Reformed Church, rural Aplington. He was a faithful member of the Hope Reformed Church in Parkersburg where he served as Deacon and Elder. He served as Classis Representative for the Words of Hope for six years. He also served on the Call to Commitment Committee for Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa. He was a member of the School Board for Parkersburg Community School District.
Paul deeply cherished his family and friends. Favorite memories include many family vacations at Six Mile Lake, and in later years, spending time at Lake Tetonka. He especially loved family dinners and gatherings, and he enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s events. For many years, Mondays were very special to Paul and Irma as they babysat some of their great-grandchildren.
Survivors left to cherish Paul’s memory are Irma, his loving wife of 64 years, a daughter, Bonnie and Rodney Wessels of Aplington, a son, Bryan and Brenda Schipper of Parkersburg. Six grandchildren, Angie and Mark Hubbard, Kurt and Erica Wessels, Dallas and Marissa Wessels, Mark and Lora Schipper, Clint and Jacinda Schipper, and Scott and Allison Schipper. Eighteen great-grandchildren, Wesley, Linde, and Kaylee Hubbard, Eva, Liam, Elena, and Emilia Wessels, Maleah, Layla, Charlton, and Ruby Wessels, Caleb, Hannah, and Benson Schipper, Paisley, Trace, and McCoy Schipper, and Natalie Schipper and her new sibling arriving soon. One brother, Lee and Dorothy Schipper, Aplington, and sister-in-law, Lois Wiese, Parkersburg.
He is preceded in death by his parents, five brothers: George and Stella Schipper, John and Jennie Schipper, Andrew and Albertha Schipper, Henry and Effie Schipper, Harvey and Esther Schipper, and five sisters: Kate and George Aalderks, Anna and John Marks, Helena and Steno Eilderts, Grace and Donald Huisman, and Hattie and Edwin Behrends, and brother-in-law, Elvin Wiese.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Saturday July 3, 2021, at Hope Reformed Church in Parkersburg. Pastor Nate Huisman officiated the service. Pianist was Marissa Wessels and she accompanied the congregation as they sang “How Great Thou Art” and “Because He Lives”. Paul’s great-grandchildren provided special music as they sang “Amazing Grace”. Burial was held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg, with Mark Hubbard, Mark Schipper, Kurt Wessels, Clint Schipper, Dallas Wessels and Scott Schipper serving as Casketbearers. Military Rites were conducted by the Parkersburg American Legion Post # 285.
Visitation was held from 5:00 p.m.to 7:00 p.m. on Friday at Redman Funeral & Cremation Services in Parkersburg. Memorials may be directed to the family. Redman Funeral & Cremation Services in Parkersburg were in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.redmanfuneral.com