Richard Eugene Shank
Richard Eugene Shank, 76, of 23322 C.R. 26, died at 1:30
p.m. Sunday (Sept. 13, 2009) at his home. He was born on Oct. 26, 1932, in
North Lima, Ohio, to Lauren J. and Mary Edna (Yoder) Shank. He was preceded in
death by his stepmother, Dorothy, and his mother, who died when he was 6. On
Feb. 24, 1957, Mr. Shank married Eileen Reimer in Goessel. She survives, along
with two sons, Larry J. (Sonia) Shank and David Shank, both of Elkhart; one
daughter, Sharon (Tim) Bachtel of Elkhart; five grandchildren; four
great-grandchildren; one brother, James (Caroline) Shank of Brandon, Fla.; and
two sisters, Joan Shank of Cedarburg, Wis., and Susan Shank of South Bend, Ind.
He was the brother-in-law of Roland and Vernetta Funk of Newton and Dorathea
Schroeder of Loveland, Colo.
Mr. Shank was a self-employed Realtor at Dick Shank Realty.
He served as a state representative from 1966 to 1976 and as a state senator
from 1976 to 1988.
A graduate of North Lima High School, he attended Hesston
College and Dunlap United Methodist Church. He was an associate member of Good
Shepherd United Methodist Church in North Fort Myers, Fla. He was a volunteer
chaplain at Goshen Hospital in Oaklawn; Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers,
Fla.; and Hope Hospice and Palliative Care in Cape Coral, Fla. He also was a
chaplain for the Sports Car Club of America.
He was the builder and developer of Sherwood Glens, a
director of Professional License Agency and an avid runner who ran the Boston
Marathon six times. He enjoyed old cars, gardening and reading the Bible.
Funeral service was today at Dunlap United Methodist Church.
Pastor Joe Smith of the church and Chaplain Shaun Gerber of Goshen General
Hospital will officiate.
Burial will be in Violett Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the church or Care at Home
Hospice. Visit yoderculpfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.
