CIRCLEVILLE – Claude Franklin Shupe, 68, of Circleville passed away peacefully surrounded by his immediate family to be with our Lord Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at the VA Hospital in Topeka.
He was born September 4, 1940 in Holton, the son of Oscar Curtis and Lela Frances Myers Shupe. He graduated from Circleville High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict. He worked on his farm all of his life near Circleville. He also worked at Alamo Group (formerly BMB Company) for 20 years. After retirement, he drove a school bus for Jackson Heights USD 335.
He married Phyllis Jean Sigmund on June 1, 1962 at the Circleville Christian Church, where he was baptized and a member. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge # 20 of Circleville (former past master), Eastern Star Chapter #293 of Circleville, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in the Valley of Topeka, the American Legion Post #44 of Holton, the Circleville Saddle Club, and the Holton Country Club and served on the Jackson Heights Board of Education for 12 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Marvin, who died during infancy in 1935. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis (Circleville); brothers, Lester (wife Shirley, Circleville) and Melvin (Circleville); sons, Darryl (wife Pearlie, Circleville), Daniel (wife Jodi, Circleville), Darren (wife Stephanie, Oskaloosa), and Derick (wife Mindi, Parkville, MO); and grandkids, Blake, Ethan, Braxton, Evan, Gavin, Teagan, and Brynn.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 31, 2009 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow at the Circleville Cemetery. Claude will lie in state at the Mercer Funeral Home where family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday evening. Memorial contributions may be made to the Circleville Christian Church or Circleville Masonic Lodge #20 c/o Mercer Funeral Home P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.