Juanita Grace Shipler, 95 of Batavia passed away on Wednesday January 14, 2026 at Parkview Care Center in Fairfield. Her life will be celebrated with funeral services at Suburban Heights Baptist Church in Fairfield, where she was an active and cherished member. Friends and family will gather to honor her memory, with visitation an hour prior to the service from 10:00AM to 11:00AM. Burial will be in Batavia Cemetery following the service. Memorials in Juanita’s honor to the Suburban Heights Baptist Church or Hospice Compassus may be left at the church or mailed to P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, IA 52556. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com
Born on July 1, 1930, in Jefferson County at home to Harvey Ralph Whitmore and Ivy Grace McCleary Whitmore, Juanita grew up with a strong sense of family and community. She graduated from Batavia High School in 1947 and continued her education at Indian Hills in Ottumwa. On May 18, 1947, she married Harold “Cye” Floyd Shipler, beginning a partnership that would shape her life and family.
Throughout her career, Juanita worked at several local businesses, including Fairfield Glove Factory, Batavia Beacon, Eldon Forum, ACCO and Plexco in Fairfield, and the Batavia Quick Shop. She also owned and operated a cleaning service, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to hard work. Her commitment to service extended beyond her professional life, as she was deeply involved in her church and community.
Juanita leaves behind a loving family: daughters MaryAnn Nordyke (Delbert) of Batavia and Colleen Heisel (Kerry) of Stockport; daughter-in-law Lindsey Shipler of Batavia; granddaughters Jada Rudd of Fairfield, Nicole Shipler of Fairfield, Josephine Shipler of Batavia, Dana Marie Jarrett of Calamus; grandson Samual Shipler of Batavia; great-grandson Patrick Jarrett of Calamus; step-granddaughter Charity Richardson of Fairfield; step-grandson Chad Heisel of Boulder, CO; and many other relatives and friends who will cherish her memory.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harold, brothers Ralph and Caroll “John” Whitmore, sister Mary Ruggles, sons David and Daniel Shipler, brother-in-law Ronald Ruggles, sister-in-law Frances Whitmore, and step-grandson Bill Carr.
Her legacy of faith, family, and service will continue to inspire all who knew her.
