Rev. Philip Lee Shively

BOSCOBEL, WIS. - The Rev. Philip Lee Shively, 77, passed away on May 2, 2011, at HospiceCare, Inc. in Madison, WI. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer. Phil was the Chair of the Social Concerns Committee for the Southwest Association of the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC), and served as a deacon at the First Congregational Church, UCC in Boscobel, Wis. He was also an Annuitant Visitor for the UCC Pension Board in southwestern Wisconsin. Born November 22, 1933, in Sidney, Ohio, Phil was the youngest son of Ben and Gladys (Dickman) Shively. He received his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University in 1956 and a bachelor’s of divinity from Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Grove, MO, in 1959 and was ordained that same year. He later earned a Masters Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Iowa, where he served as campus minister during the 1960s. In 1971 Phil wrote the initial grant for and established the Iowa Humanities Board, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. He served as its director for ten years. In 1981 he became the Executive Director of the Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services of Southeast Iowa. He served as Minister for the Community Congregational Church of McCall, Idaho from 1992 to 1993. From 1994-1997, he was the Bereavement Program Coordinator and a chaplain in the Pastoral Care Department at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wis. From 1994 through 2008, Phil served as an interim minister for various churches in southwestern Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers, and one sister. He is survived by his wife, Nancy K. Shively; sister-in-law, Joan M. Shively, sons, Peter (Ruth) Shively and Stephen (Stephanie) Shively; and his daughter, Sarah (Marilys Ernst) Shively. Phil and Nancy have six grandchildren. Growing up in Sidney, Phil earned the rank of Eagle Scout; his early involvement in scouting strongly influenced his lifetime interests. In college and before committing to a career in the ministry, he served in the ROTC and took coursework in engineering. Later in life, he became a licensed private pilot, a beekeeper, and pursued his interests in continuing and adult education, serving as a board member of the American Folk School Association for many years and as its President from 1985 to 1988. He also enjoyed travel, bird watching, and woodworking. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, May 14, 2011, at 10 AM at the FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 1202 Park St., Boscobel, Wis. with the Rev. Jen Johnson officiating. Visitation with the family will precede the service at 9:00 AM, and a reception will be held at the family’s home following the service. Donations or flowers may be sent to the church in Boscobel.