Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Soldier leads team of strangers to grant Tyler Shipman's wish
Soldier leads team of strangers to grant Tyler Shipman's wish
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Trying out poses for his senior picture, Frazee High School student Tyler Shipman leans against his 1986 Pontiac Fiero, which will be rebuilt Friday, Nov. 20 through Sunday Nov. 22. Submitted photo |
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Paul Hunnel of Norseman Motors Auto Cleaning and Detailing in Detroit Lakes recently completed detailing work on Tyler Shipman’s 1986 Pontiac Fiero. Norseman was one of many businesses to donate to the project. Photo by Barbie Porter |
• by Barbie Porter
Frazee High School senior Tyler Shipman, 18, who has synovial sarcoma cancer, made a wish - to have his Fiero sports car refurbished.
It's likely his wish will be granted Nov. 20-22, mostly by strangers.
Oct. 29, Tyler, son of Daneele and Jay, posted a message titled "Got cancer ... looking for help" on Pennock's Fiero Forum, of which he's been a member since 2007.
"Hey guys I'm a total Fiero head," he wrote. "They're my life. I have an 1986 Fiero GT that I've been slowly fixing up. Well, now here I sit at the hospital with cancer and they can't treat it, and (don't) know how long I'll be here; they say till spring or longer or shorter ... I'm just trying to find some way to get it restored before I pass. I love this car. I don't know if people help with these things or not, but I figured I'd ask."
Across the globe in Iraq, U.S. soldier Sgt. Andrew Weigle, who is with E Company's 1-150th Assault Helicopter Battalion, read Shipman's post.
"At that moment I knew we had to do something to help him realize his dream," said Andrew, a native of East Berlin, Penn.
Andrew understands Tyler's passion for Fieros, after all he owns two, one of which he recently bought to restore with his 14-year-old daughter upon his return from Iraq.
The Pontiac Fiero was built by General Motors from 1984 to 1988.
"The car was the first mid-engine two seat sports car made by an American car company, and the modifications and enhancements you can do to the car are only limited by your imagination," Andrew said.
He also understands how cancer impacts a family, their friends and a community.
Andrew's wife, who leads a Girl Scout troop, lost a 10-year-old member to cancer. He also has an aunt that is battling bone cancer, after she defeated breast cancer a few years ago.
"The strength and courage that Tyler has shown are beyond any that I have seen in another person," he said. "His story has touched the lives of me and my family, and our family on (Pennock's Fiero) Forum. He will forever be in our hearts and minds, no matter what happens. My wish is to see Tyler's wish for his car to come true, and that he will get to see it completed."
To make Tyler's wish come true, Andrew turned to Pennock's Fiero Forum members.
"I was shocked at the overwhelming response," he noted. "It went from an idea to take donations to get a new bumper for his car, to a full-fledged rebuild weekend."
Fellow Fiero fanatic, Chris Kliewer who lives near the Twin Cities noticed the thread on the Fiero message board and decided to donate a CD player.
"The more I learned about his story the more involved I wanted to be," Chris said, adding when he discovered the person spearheading the rebuild was in Iraq, he offered to coordinate the effort.
"Being stateside and somewhat close to Frazee, it would just be easier for me to organize the project," Chris said. "But (Andrew) really got the effort going and that says a lot about the people in armed forces. Even though he's across seas he saw something that needed to be done and had the decency to do it."
Chris, who spent his childhood years working on performance engines with his father and has years of experience rebuilding Fieros, plans to attend the rebuild.
"I've owned eight Fieros," he said. "And I've done all the work on them myself, from upgrades to rebuilding the engine to the transmission and suspension."
While searching for parts, Chris received help from two area businesses, Norseman Auto Detailing in Detroit Lakes and Frazee Auto Body.
Norseman offered to have Tyler's car detailed for free while Frazee Auto Body agreed to install a windshield, at first.
Owners David and Karen Gray upped the ante after reading about Tyler's story in the newspaper.
"We didn't realize how dire the situation was," Karen recalled. "By then we'd heard there were all these people coming to town to work on Tyler's car and we decided they should have a nice place to work, so we offered our shop and tools for the weekend."
Frazee Auto Body will also give the car a new paint job, free of charge.
"We're happy to do whatever we can to help out," Karen said. "The Shipmans are in our hearts and prayers."
Frazee High School teachers and community members have also stepped up to provide food for the volunteers.
Frazee Auto Body (334-6161) is looking to borrow tables for the build to give volunteers a place to break bread or take a break.
John Panicci of Lake Worth, Fla. is one of an estimated 20 people who plan on traveling to Frazee mid-November to work on Tyler's car.
John met Tyler on the Fiero message board.
"When Tyler said he had cancer I thought he was probably a 60-year-old guy," John said. "Then someone asked his age ... I was astounded that something like that would happen to someone so young (18)."
"Lying in bed at night, it has just been a feeling way down deep inside telling me to do this," John continued, noting things began to happen coincidently, such as unexpected bonus at work that covered the airfare and a change to his schedule that gave him an extra day off during the rebuild.
"As if that was not enough, I have been working on my car and purchased some parts that my mechanic asked me to get," Panicci said. "He never used (the parts) and told me to return them. And just Friday (Nov. 6) a post came up asking for those very parts for Tyler's car."
The Florida native will be joined by people from all over the U.S., and donations are being taken to soften the expense of travel and lodging.
Contact Chris at synssins@yahoo.com for more information regarding donations for the volunteer accommodations, or to donate a part for the build.
"Anything left over from those donations will be given to the family," he said.
While the list of needed parts is shrinking rapidly, as of Monday, Nov. 9 builders still need:
• Tail light lenses (fastback).
• Radio/HVAC surround sound.
• A front 1986 GT bumper (taking donations for a new Fiero Store front fascia).
• Driver and passenger seats (still waiting to find out the color, Boostdreamer has a set in good condition).
• Passenger side gray aero rocker panel and mounting hardware.
• Rear window.
There will be a benefit for the Shipman family Sunday, Nov. 15 from 1-8 p.m. at the Frazee Event Center.
There will be turkey sandwiches on homemade buns and a silent auction. To donate an item for the auction contact Tracey Tinjum, 849-5726 or Diane Stone, 841-1607.
Donations can also be made to the family at United Community Bank, PO Box 156, Frazee, MN 56544.
Frazee High School senior Tyler Shipman, 18, who has synovial sarcoma cancer, made a wish - to have his Fiero sports car refurbished.
It's likely his wish will be granted Nov. 20-22, mostly by strangers.
Oct. 29, Tyler, son of Daneele and Jay, posted a message titled "Got cancer ... looking for help" on Pennock's Fiero Forum, of which he's been a member since 2007.
"Hey guys I'm a total Fiero head," he wrote. "They're my life. I have an 1986 Fiero GT that I've been slowly fixing up. Well, now here I sit at the hospital with cancer and they can't treat it, and (don't) know how long I'll be here; they say till spring or longer or shorter ... I'm just trying to find some way to get it restored before I pass. I love this car. I don't know if people help with these things or not, but I figured I'd ask."
Across the globe in Iraq, U.S. soldier Sgt. Andrew Weigle, who is with E Company's 1-150th Assault Helicopter Battalion, read Shipman's post.
"At that moment I knew we had to do something to help him realize his dream," said Andrew, a native of East Berlin, Penn.
Andrew understands Tyler's passion for Fieros, after all he owns two, one of which he recently bought to restore with his 14-year-old daughter upon his return from Iraq.
The Pontiac Fiero was built by General Motors from 1984 to 1988.
"The car was the first mid-engine two seat sports car made by an American car company, and the modifications and enhancements you can do to the car are only limited by your imagination," Andrew said.
He also understands how cancer impacts a family, their friends and a community.
Andrew's wife, who leads a Girl Scout troop, lost a 10-year-old member to cancer. He also has an aunt that is battling bone cancer, after she defeated breast cancer a few years ago.
"The strength and courage that Tyler has shown are beyond any that I have seen in another person," he said. "His story has touched the lives of me and my family, and our family on (Pennock's Fiero) Forum. He will forever be in our hearts and minds, no matter what happens. My wish is to see Tyler's wish for his car to come true, and that he will get to see it completed."
To make Tyler's wish come true, Andrew turned to Pennock's Fiero Forum members.
"I was shocked at the overwhelming response," he noted. "It went from an idea to take donations to get a new bumper for his car, to a full-fledged rebuild weekend."
Fellow Fiero fanatic, Chris Kliewer who lives near the Twin Cities noticed the thread on the Fiero message board and decided to donate a CD player.
"The more I learned about his story the more involved I wanted to be," Chris said, adding when he discovered the person spearheading the rebuild was in Iraq, he offered to coordinate the effort.
"Being stateside and somewhat close to Frazee, it would just be easier for me to organize the project," Chris said. "But (Andrew) really got the effort going and that says a lot about the people in armed forces. Even though he's across seas he saw something that needed to be done and had the decency to do it."
Chris, who spent his childhood years working on performance engines with his father and has years of experience rebuilding Fieros, plans to attend the rebuild.
"I've owned eight Fieros," he said. "And I've done all the work on them myself, from upgrades to rebuilding the engine to the transmission and suspension."
While searching for parts, Chris received help from two area businesses, Norseman Auto Detailing in Detroit Lakes and Frazee Auto Body.
Norseman offered to have Tyler's car detailed for free while Frazee Auto Body agreed to install a windshield, at first.
Owners David and Karen Gray upped the ante after reading about Tyler's story in the newspaper.
"We didn't realize how dire the situation was," Karen recalled. "By then we'd heard there were all these people coming to town to work on Tyler's car and we decided they should have a nice place to work, so we offered our shop and tools for the weekend."
Frazee Auto Body will also give the car a new paint job, free of charge.
"We're happy to do whatever we can to help out," Karen said. "The Shipmans are in our hearts and prayers."
Frazee High School teachers and community members have also stepped up to provide food for the volunteers.
Frazee Auto Body (334-6161) is looking to borrow tables for the build to give volunteers a place to break bread or take a break.
John Panicci of Lake Worth, Fla. is one of an estimated 20 people who plan on traveling to Frazee mid-November to work on Tyler's car.
John met Tyler on the Fiero message board.
"When Tyler said he had cancer I thought he was probably a 60-year-old guy," John said. "Then someone asked his age ... I was astounded that something like that would happen to someone so young (18)."
"Lying in bed at night, it has just been a feeling way down deep inside telling me to do this," John continued, noting things began to happen coincidently, such as unexpected bonus at work that covered the airfare and a change to his schedule that gave him an extra day off during the rebuild.
"As if that was not enough, I have been working on my car and purchased some parts that my mechanic asked me to get," Panicci said. "He never used (the parts) and told me to return them. And just Friday (Nov. 6) a post came up asking for those very parts for Tyler's car."
The Florida native will be joined by people from all over the U.S., and donations are being taken to soften the expense of travel and lodging.
Contact Chris at synssins@yahoo.com for more information regarding donations for the volunteer accommodations, or to donate a part for the build.
"Anything left over from those donations will be given to the family," he said.
While the list of needed parts is shrinking rapidly, as of Monday, Nov. 9 builders still need:
• Tail light lenses (fastback).
• Radio/HVAC surround sound.
• A front 1986 GT bumper (taking donations for a new Fiero Store front fascia).
• Driver and passenger seats (still waiting to find out the color, Boostdreamer has a set in good condition).
• Passenger side gray aero rocker panel and mounting hardware.
• Rear window.
There will be a benefit for the Shipman family Sunday, Nov. 15 from 1-8 p.m. at the Frazee Event Center.
There will be turkey sandwiches on homemade buns and a silent auction. To donate an item for the auction contact Tracey Tinjum, 849-5726 or Diane Stone, 841-1607.
Donations can also be made to the family at United Community Bank, PO Box 156, Frazee, MN 56544.
Items needed: • Tail light lenses (fastback) • Radio/HVAC surround sound • A front 1986 GT bumper • Driver and passenger seats • Passenger side gray aero rocker panel and mounting hardware • Rear window.
Contact Chris Kliewer at synssins@yahoo.com for donation info.
Items donated by people: • A dashboard • Turn signal lenses • Windshield • Window tint • Windshield wipers • Headliner • Head unit • Replacement speakers • Subwoofer box and sub • Amplifier • Injectors • Gasket set • Floor mats • Trunk carpet • LED third brake light • Bumpers and gears for headlight motors • D/S aero rocker and lower door aero molding • A set of GT fastback quarter windows • Upper intake/valve covers stripped and painted.
Items donated by businesses: • Frazee Auto Body will paint the car, install the windshield and offer its shop for restoration work. • Norseman Auto Detailing in Detroit Lakes detailed the car and pressure washed the carpet. • The Fiero Store, which is based out of Stafford Springs, Conn., donated a front bumper and shipping costs. • Mr. Mike's Leather of Sarasota, Fla. donated upholstery for the seats. • GNU Industries of Sunrise, Fla., donated an alarm system.
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Friday, November 20, 2009
More than 600 attend Tyler Shipman benefit
More than 600 attend Tyler Shipman benefit
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Tyler Shipman was surrounded by his buddies Sunday night at a benefit in his honor at the Frazee Event Center. (From left) Kasey Ratz, 17, Nathan Schumann, 17, Tyler, Andy Ulschmid, 18, and Joe Lingl, 18. Photos by Cally Nundahl |
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Carter Shipman, 10, helped out by announcing silent auction winners at the Tyler Shipman benefit Sunday at the Frazee Event Center. He did a great job and had a little help from some friends. |
More than 600 people attended the Tyler Shipman benefit Sunday, Nov. 15 at Frazee Event Center.
Shipman, 18, was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer called synovial sarcoma, which occurs mostly in young adults.
Family friend Tracey Tinjum organized the benefit for the family and said the Shipmans were overwhelmed by the community's generosity.
She explained the Shipmans are still totaling the donations, but deemed the event a great success.
Tyler was able to join his family for the event.
"He arrived around 3 p.m. and stayed there until it was over," Tracey reported. "He spent most of the time surrounded by friends."
Tinjum commended Tyler's friends and the entire senior class for their moral and financial support.
Frazee High School students recently sold buttons, wristbands and built a fishhouse that was raffled off at the benefit. Students Elizabeth Marschall and Megan Jepson each donated $50 to purchase a propane heater for the fishhouse.
Frazee resident Patti Trautman won the fishhouse raffle.
This weekend a group of strangers will meet in Frazee to rebuild Tyler's Fiero.
The rebuild project began after Tyler posted a message on Pennock's Fiero Forum.
Tyler informed the Fiero fanatics of his cancer and a wish to see his 1986 Fiero GT restored.
Strangers from across the nation organized a mass effort to make Tyler's wish a reality, and will meet in Frazee to fix his car Nov. 20-21 at Frazee Auto Body.
Tyler recently visited the shop to pick the color he wants his car painted. The paint and labor was donated by Frazee Auto Body.
"He has picked the color for car," Tinjum said. "But it's a secret. He won't tell anyone."
Twin Cities resident Chris Kliewer has organized donations and volunteers for the build.
He reported with recent donations, all the parts needed for the car are secured.
Recent business donations included a new engine and brakes.
Stuart Restad Auto Repair of Pelican Rapids donated an engine and will install it.
Owner Stuart Restad said he became involved in the project when Chris contacted him.
"They were looking for someone to do inspections and work on Tyler's car," Stuart recalled.
After learning about Tyler's situation, Stuart decided to donate time and an engine.
"It's really not about the car," Stuart said. "It's about seeing people come together to give him something to focus on other than his illness."
Stuart recently met Tyler, and was glad to help out such a deserving young man.
"He just has one of those personalities that you instantly like," Stuart said.
Tires Plus of Detroit Lakes donated brakes and installation this week.
T-shirts will be sold during the build with proceeds going to the Shipman family. The rebuilt car will tentatively be revealed Sunday afternoon.
Web cast set for Fiero restoration
Fiero fanatics have dedicated a Web site to Tyler Shipman, www.tylerstoy.com, which will broadcast a live Web cast during the car's restoration Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Fiero fanatics make a dream come true for teen battling cancer
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| Tyler Shipman (right in white cap), his brother Carter, father Jay and mother Daneele pose for pictures next to the rebuilt Fiero as the 20-plus volunteers who helped make the project a success stand behind them. Photos by Barbie Porter |
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| Freshly painted parts for Tyler Shipman’s Fiero sat on a trailer as community members stopped by to watch the Tyler’s Dream Team work simultaneously on the engine, wiring, seats and headlights. |
As the fog lifted Sunday morning in Frazee, there was a reason to miss church. It had nothing to do with the Vikings, but rather a devoted fan of the Green Bay Packers whose dream was about to come true.
After being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in early October, an 18-year-old Frazee boy, Tyler Shipman, posted a wish on an Internet chat forum geared to Fiero fanatics.
He told them he'd been slowly rebuilding a 1986 Pontiac Fiero, the second he'd owned.
"I sit at the hospital with cancer and they can't treat it," Tyler wrote. "(They don't know) how long I'll be here; they say could be till spring or longer, or shorter ... I'm just trying to find some way to get it restored before I pass."
At 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 his wish came true. After traveling to Frazee and working through the night at Frazee Auto Body, which donated the shop and tools, 20-plus members from Pennock's Fiero Forum (www.fiero.nl/cgi- bin/main.cgi) unveiled the masterpiece to the crowd gathered in the high school parking lot.
As the hearty rev of an engine rolled, a garage door opened and a fog machine puffed out a heavy cloud. A canary yellow Fiero, rebuilt from tip to tail, emerged from the haze; it's speakers rocking out one of Tyler's favorite songs.
His smile was as bright as his car. At first Tyler admired it from afar, allowing the 100-plus people who came to witness the unveiling to have the first up-close glance.
His parents, teachers and friends will tell you that's just part of his character, to put himself second.
Kenny Holgate, Frazee, is a longtime family friend.
"Since he was a kid he would come around with his grandpa, just to make sure grandpa's stories didn't stretch to far from the truth," Kenny joked.
Pam, Kenny's wife, reiterated the sentiment, "Tyler is the kind of kid that any parent would be proud of. He's giving, always respectful, kind; just an all-around-good kid."
After the crowd parted, someone asked Tyler if he was going to take it for a spin.
Without hesitation, Tyler said yes. His family helped him into the driver seat. His father, Jay, was the first to go for a ride. Tyler shifted into drive and slowly inched forward through the parting crowd. Rolling into the street, Tyler hit the gas as his 10-year-old brother and two sisters, 8 and 21, cheered and his mother, Daneele, wiped tears from her eyes.
"This is the only car that has ever made me cry," she joked. "Well, if you don't count the ones that have broke down on me."
Lately, those lighthearted moments have come easier for the family. Tyler's mother attributes it to the selfless people who donated to the rebuild.
"For the past few weeks the car is all Tyler has talked about," she said. "I am so thankful, it leaves me speechless."
Soldier sparks Tyler's
Dream Team
The makings of a dream began across the globe when Andrew Weigle, a U.S. Sgt. with E Company's 1-150th Assault Helicopter Battalion read Tyler's post.
Even though Andrew, a resident of East Berlin, Penn., was serving in the Iraqi War, he knew he had to do something.
Cancer had touched his family, so he knew the power of a smile during rough days. At first, the mission was to get Tyler a new bumper. But the generosity of Pennock's Fiero Forum members quickly expanded it into a full-blown rebuild weekend.
Chris Kliewer, Inver Grove Heights, organized the effort stateside, bringing parts and people from across the country to Frazee.
"The people on the (Pennock's Fiero) Forum are always willing to help each other out," he said. "We heard about his situation; knew it was the right thing to do, so we did it. I wasn't surprised by the turnout (of volunteers), but I was impressed."
"I'm a grown man, but the overwhelming willingness of complete strangers and businesses to help where help was needed, it makes me tear up," he continued.
Chris was in good company, besides the volunteers and community members who stopped by to keep them fed and in good spirits, there was an online following of more than 40 people who watched the rebuild via webcast, many of whom stayed until the mission was complete.
Project touched by
a "higher power"
For the most part, the project went smoothly with few setbacks. Many credited the good fortune to a "higher power."
Even before the build began, members of Tyler's Dream Team reported coincidences that played a part in making the wish a reality.
John Panicci of Lake Worth, Fla., recalled his calling to the project came during a restless night in bed.
"I had this feeling down deep telling me to be part of this," he said. "Then things just started falling into place."
Unexpectedly, John received a bonus at work which covered his airfare to Minnesota. Then his work schedule was changed, giving him an extra day off during the weekend of the build.
"As if that were not enough, I was working on my Fiero and purchased some parts that I didn't need," he said. "That same day I looked on the Forum, and those very parts were needed for Tyler's car."
Chris Antuzzi of Colfax, Calif., found a mysterious plane ticket to Fargo in the mail.
"I was surprised and a little concerned actually, because it had all my private information, like my drivers license number on it," he said.
After a little investigating, he discovered the plane ticket was sent by "anonymous angels" from Pennock's Fiero Forum.
Stuart Lowery of Cleburne, Texas, was approached by Frazee native, Ashley (Estenson) Dahlman, while waiting to board a plane in Dallas.
"I had my laptop out and she noticed a picture of Tyler," he recalled. "I found out she grew up in Frazee. She gave me her number and said if we needed a place to sleep she's the revenue manager of the Embassy Suites in Minneapolis."
Stuart respectfully declined the offer, as he had already made accommodations elsewhere. However, he soon discovered there was an error in the reservation.
"It had us booked for the wrong night," he explained. "So we went to the Embassy and they put us up for the night."
The goodwill was also seen on the road as the volunteers driving Fieros headed to Frazee. The news of the event had spread and people were eager to greet them with a wave.
Not even car trouble could put a wrench in the mission.
Arron Hultquist of Centuria, Wisc., had car trouble in Anoka, but never considered not making the final stretch of the trip.
"I was going to find a way," he stated. "I love working on Fieros and I love the camaraderie. We're like a family, and when a member of our family needs help, you don't turn around."
Gestures and words like that are hard to grasp for Tyler's longtime friend, Brandan Gildersleeve, 17.
"Seeing people give back to my friend, who they don't really know, is overwhelming," he said. "It's nice to see things like this happen. It's amazing."
Alyssa Mayfield, Tyler's classmate agreed, "It's a lot to take in, to think what these people did... it's so cool how they all came together to make his dream come true."
Fierce and proud
Atop a rebuilt car, Cold Spring Granite, based near St. Cloud, donated a plaque with an engraved picture of Tyler kneeling next to his car. To the right of the picture is the Fiero emblem. At the bottom, inscribed into the bronze casting is the year the car was built, May 1986, next to it, the date of it's rebirth, Nov. 2009.
From Iraq, Andrew was able to watch the build and the unveiling via a webcast provided by KARE-11, a TV news station in the Twin Cities. Feature reporter Boyd Huppert contacted Andrew via e-mail after hearing about the chain reaction the soldier started.
The TV station attended the build and through the web-based communications tool, Skype, was able to give Andrew a front row seat for the big moment.
"I'm glad we were able to do that for him," Huppert said.
Through the Internet, Andrew thanked those involved with the project and encouraged Tyler to remain strong, and to enjoy his new car. Andrew, who plans to visit the Shipman family when he returns from the Middle East in January, also arranged for an honor flag, which was flown in an Iraqi combat mission on a Blackhawk helicopter, to be given to Tyler for his honorable battle with cancer.
In Italian, Fiero means very proud, in Spanish, it means fierce; both are perfect words to describe the historic effort that was a tribute to humanity and goodwill towards men.
"God bless them for what they've done," Daneele said. "They will never know how much it means to my family."
Donations, to cover medical costs, can be mailed to: Shipman Benefit, c/o Daneele or Jay Shipman, United Community Bank, P.O. Box 156, Frazee, MN 56544.
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Monday, February 15, 2010
Tyler Shipman
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Tyler Jay Shipman was born to Jay and Daneele (Stoll) Shipman on July 18, 1991, at Dakota Hospital in Fargo, ND. He attended Frazee High School as a senior until his illness. Tyler was baptized at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, MN on September of 1991, and confirmed in St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Evergreen, MN on April of 2007.
Tyler was a very active young man who loved life. His favorite hobbies were snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, riding his ATV, and hanging out with his friends. One of his favorite past-times was fishing with his dad and brother Carter. He also worked very hard with his dad building up their business, Shipman's Tree Service. Tyler loved cars, especially Pontiac Fieros, and was fortunate enough to see his pride and joy fixed up to pristine condition in the last months of his life. He loved to drive fast and race anything with anyone. He recently began to take up RC remote control car racing and also completing model car kits. He smiled a lot, laughed a lot and was a blessing to those who knew him well. In the last months of his life battling cancer, he taught us all about bravery. His life was made better by the friends and family who surrounded him, and we will be forever changed for having Tyler as a part of our lives.
Surviving Tyler are his parents Jay and Daneele (Stoll) Shipman of Frazee; sister Tiffany (21) of Grand Forks, ND; brother Carter (10) of Frazee; sister Cassidy (8) of Frazee; grandparents Dean and Louella Shipman of Detroit Lakes, MN; grandfather Ray Stoll of Osage, MN; grandmother Joyce Cass of St. Cloud, MN; great-grandfather Rome Villard of Detroit Lakes, MN; great-grandmother Erna Cass of St. Cloud, MN; aunts and uncles, Kay (Shipman) Graham, Calvin and Tamra Shipman, Eugene Shipman, Shane and Krysteen Hjulberg, Dovie DiNicola; first cousins, Joe Callahan, Amanda Callahan, Josh Graham, Derek Shipman, Kristin (Andrew) Schock, Jesse Shipman, Kari Shipman, Joanna Shipman, Allison Hjulberg and Andrew Hjulberg and also many other great aunts, uncles and generations of cousins.
He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Charles Cass, Dallas and Vivian Lindsay and Mabel Villard.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 19, 2010, at 2:00 p.m., at the Frazee High School, Frazee, MN with Reverend Anthony Cloose officiating. Casketbearers will be Tiffany Shipman (sister), Nathan Schumann (friend), Joe Lingl (friend), Derek Shipman (cousin), Jesse Shipman (cousin) and Kari Shipman (cousin), and Honorary Casketbearers will be Carter Shipman (brother) and Cassidy Shipman (sister). Interment will be at St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Evergreen, MN. Visitation will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Evergreen, rural Frazee, MN on Thursday, February 18, 2010, from 4-8 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., and visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the school on Friday.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Furey Funeral Home, Frazee, MN 218-334-2461.
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Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show draws 100 entrants
• by Barbie Porter
The first Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show started with 102 entrants that filled Main Avenue, of which about 47 were Pontiac Fieros.
The car show was in honor of an 18-year-old local man that died of cancer in February.
Before Tyler passed, a group of fellow Fiero fanatics banded together to rebuild his car - a 1986 Fiero GT.
Many of those at the build participated in the car show and reunited with the Shipman family, including the soldier from East Berlin, Pa. that started it all - Andrew Weigle.
Weigle was in Iraq when he read Tyler's plea for help to finish rebuilding his car on the Pennock Fiero Forum and decided to offer what spare parts and help he could.
It wasn't long before more Fiero forum members joined the cause and expanded the mission into a full-fledge rebuild which included everything from new body parts, a paint job and window tint to a new engine.
Weigle was able to watch the rebuild via computer from Iraq.
While he didn't make it back to meet Tyler in person, when Weigle heard about the memorial car show he decided to make the trek to Frazee for the event.
The caravan of more than 20 cars coming from as far away as Florida endured a few breakdowns and wrong turns before pulling off U.S. Highway 10 Friday, July 23 where a police escort awaited them.
The cars drove through town and regrouped at Frazee Auto Body, where the build took place last November.
Eventually the crew headed out to Daneele and Jay Shipman's home in rural Frazee where they enjoyed a home-cooked meal and set up tents for the weekend.
Weigle said he is still awestruck by the family's generosity.
"They are the nicest family that I've ever met," he said. "I was able to camp there Friday and Saturday night. In two days I felt like part of their family."
Shipman's yellow Fiero, which now belongs to the family's youngest boy, Carter, 10, was the centerpiece of the car show.
When Weigle first saw the car it was via the Internet and from pictures.
"That just didn't do it justice," he said. "Seeing it in person ... there is an aura that comes from the car."
While he wasn't able to meet Tyler, Weigle said he did visit his final resting place.
Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show draws 100 entrants
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| The Pontiac Fiero was the featured car of the first Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show held Saturday, July 24 on Main Avenue during Turkey Days. Photo by Barbie Porter |
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| Tyler Shipman’s 1986 Fiero was the centerpiece of the Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show. It won three awards: People’s Choice, Best Fiero and an award from United Community Bank. Local businesses donated funds to purchase trophies for the car show. Photo by Gale Kaas |
The first Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show started with 102 entrants that filled Main Avenue, of which about 47 were Pontiac Fieros.
The car show was in honor of an 18-year-old local man that died of cancer in February.
Before Tyler passed, a group of fellow Fiero fanatics banded together to rebuild his car - a 1986 Fiero GT.
Many of those at the build participated in the car show and reunited with the Shipman family, including the soldier from East Berlin, Pa. that started it all - Andrew Weigle.
Weigle was in Iraq when he read Tyler's plea for help to finish rebuilding his car on the Pennock Fiero Forum and decided to offer what spare parts and help he could.
It wasn't long before more Fiero forum members joined the cause and expanded the mission into a full-fledge rebuild which included everything from new body parts, a paint job and window tint to a new engine.
Weigle was able to watch the rebuild via computer from Iraq.
While he didn't make it back to meet Tyler in person, when Weigle heard about the memorial car show he decided to make the trek to Frazee for the event.
The caravan of more than 20 cars coming from as far away as Florida endured a few breakdowns and wrong turns before pulling off U.S. Highway 10 Friday, July 23 where a police escort awaited them.
The cars drove through town and regrouped at Frazee Auto Body, where the build took place last November.
Eventually the crew headed out to Daneele and Jay Shipman's home in rural Frazee where they enjoyed a home-cooked meal and set up tents for the weekend.
Weigle said he is still awestruck by the family's generosity.
"They are the nicest family that I've ever met," he said. "I was able to camp there Friday and Saturday night. In two days I felt like part of their family."
Shipman's yellow Fiero, which now belongs to the family's youngest boy, Carter, 10, was the centerpiece of the car show.
When Weigle first saw the car it was via the Internet and from pictures.
"That just didn't do it justice," he said. "Seeing it in person ... there is an aura that comes from the car."
While he wasn't able to meet Tyler, Weigle said he did visit his final resting place.
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"I want to thank the entire community and town of Frazee for its hospitality," Weigle continued.
The event also doubled as a fundraiser for the Roger Maris Cancer Center and about $1,600 was raised.
"I want to thank the entire community and town of Frazee for its hospitality," Weigle continued.
The event also doubled as a fundraiser for the Roger Maris Cancer Center and about $1,600 was raised.
