MOUNT VERNON – Virgil Shipley, 95, of Mount Vernon passed away on Jan. 17, 2023, at Country Court Nursing Home. He was born on Feb. 24, 1927, to Lester W. and Trella I (McNutt) Shipley, and they lived on a small farm outside Fredericktown.
Virgil's dad worked for the Knox County Highway Department. His mother raised chickens and milked the cow on the family farm, then later worked as a licensed practical nurse. As a youth, Virgil developed a love of all things mechanical from his dad and an appreciation for a fine meal from his mother's cooking.
After high school, he was drafted into the Army and briefly served as an MP. Virgil used the GI Bill to attend Ohio University, where he began a major in journalism. His time at OU was short-lived, because he was called back to the Army for the Korean War. Because of his brief stint in college, where he took photography classes, Virgil was utilized by the Army as a photographer until the end of his service.
Once back in Knox County, he applied at the Mount Vernon News for a photography position in 1955 and was hired. He could not believe it at the time. Virgil considered this one of luckiest moments of his life and it would become one that would define him professionally. As a photojournalist for the Mount Vernon News, Virgil was on the beat for the next 60 years. He could be found at any hour, anywhere that news was happening. Generations recognize Virgil as the face of the Mount Vernon News. He was a tireless newsman, always excited to have a photo published “above the fold.”
Once the editor learned about his typing skills, which he had picked up in high school to earn extra credits, Virgil was given more writing assignments. At first, he covered law enforcement and emergency reports, moving on to eventually write one of his favorite columns, “Under the Hood.” Virgil was also the official press photographer for the Ohio Distinguished Young Women program.
Through his long career, Virgil took pictures of John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush during their presidential campaigns. More importantly, he photographed most every event that mattered in Knox County from 1955 to 2018.
In 2016, Virgil was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award by the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce.
He enjoyed shooting sports, aviation, autocross and rally racing. Virgil spent many weekends taking pictures at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington.
Virgil is survived by his daughter, Phyllis (Gavin) Meeks, and grandchildren Kaleigh and Garrett. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Ruth Engle.
Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, at Snyder Funeral Home, Dowds Chapel, 201 Newark Road, Mount Vernon.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Virgil's honor to the Fredericktown Alumni Scholarship Fund, www.fredericktownalumni.org. Alternatively, make a check payable to FHS Alumni Scholarship Fund and mail to: Knox County Foundation, P.O. Box 309, Mount Vernon, OH 43050-0309.
