Ben was a United States Air Force Major and Vietnam veteran retiring in 1975 after 20 years of service. He later worked for the State Chemical Manufacturing Company and retired in 1998. He was a lifetime member of the 355th Fighter Group Association and the Belleville Holzschnitzer’s Wood Carvers.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy D., nee Crane, Shuppert, whom he married on December 26, 1959, and who died April 28, 1989; his parents, St. Clair and Dottie Clarice, nee Cover, Shuppert; and his sister, Norma Lee McGovern.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Linda Suarez-Shuppert, whom he married on July 13, 1994; his son, Larry Bruce (Nancy) Lipscomb; his daughter, Lisa Kay (Dennis) Flach; three grandchildren, Christian D. (Jill) Lipscomb, Stephen Flach and Emily, nee Lipscomb, Turnbull; several great and great-great-grandchildren; other dear family members; and a long list of friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine or online at https://giving.benedictineliving.org/0141, or to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, February 26, 2024, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the Chapel of the Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the Chapel of the Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.
Burial with military honors will be at Green Mount Cemetery, Belleville, IL.