Michael Albert Shipler, 55, of Batavia, IA passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at his home with his loving family by his side.
A funeral service honoring his life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield, IA. Burial will be in the Batavia Cemetery immediately following. A visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home and will last until the time of service. Memorial contributions in Mike’s honor may be directed to the family and mailed to Lindsey Shipler, P.O. Box 80, Batavia, IA 52533. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Michael Albert Shipler was born on December 25, 1970, in Iowa City, IA to Harold and Juanita Whitmore Shipler. He was a 1990 graduate of the Cardinal Community School District and enlisted in the Army National Guard following graduation. Mike proudly served his country as a Combat Engineer during Operation Desert Storm. Upon his honorable discharge her returned home where he entered the Commercial Driving Program at Indian Hills Community College.
He spent many years driving a truck. In 2005, Mike married his best friend, Lindsey Rudd. They began their family and he became the proud father of four children. Mike and Lindsey were not only partners in life, but also in business. In 2011 they started Mike’s Towing and Recovery. They worked together side by side until his health would no longer allow. From an early age Mike always looked for adventure. He loved working on and driving fast cars. He spent many years racing at the local racetracks and “jumped” at his chance to go skydiving. In his early 40’s he enrolled in the Sankey Rodeo Bull Riding School. It is something he deeply enjoyed and was very proud of. The most important things in Mikes life were his family and his faith. He was proud to follow Jesus and share that love with other. He very seldom could be found sitting ilde as he always had work to be done. He was a loving husband, father and provider. He will be deeply missed . Mike was preceded in death by his father, Harold Shipler and two brothers, Daniel and David Shippler. Left to share his story is his loving wife, Lindsey Shipler; four children, Jada Rudd, Nicole Shipler (Bailee Ehret), Samuel Shipler, and Josephine Shipler; his mother, Juanita Shipler; two sisters, MaryAnn (Delbert) Nordyke and Colleen (Kerry) Heisel, as well as many extended family and many, many friends.
