Obituaries

November 29, 1941 to July 28, 2016

WINAMAC - Thomas Patrick Shank Sr., 74, of Winamac, passed away Thursday morning, July 28, surrounded by his family.

He was born Nov. 29, 1941 in Logansport, to the late Kermit and Rose Nicolas Shank. He lived his entire life in Winamac. In 1962, he married Judy Lewis at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Monterey. She survives.

Also surviving are Jennifer L. Shank-Maxwell (Winamac) daughter, John Shank (Winamac) grandson, Michael (Brandy Ehler) Maxwell (Winamac) grandson, Allie Marie Elizabeth Ehler (Winamac) great granddaughter, and Brooklynn Jean Skye Ehler (Winamac) great granddaughter; Edward Patrick (Tammy Hendryx) Shank (Winamac) son, Bryan (Rachelle Drang) Shank (Winamac) grandson, Drake Button (Winamac) great grandson, Rachel (Phillip) Budd (Winamac) granddaughter, Jackson Edward Budd (Winamac) great grandson, Brentley Sue Budd (Winamac) great granddaughter; Katherine Rose (Andrew) Buchanan (Indianapolis) daughter; and Milo Lewis (Julie Hansen) Shank (Alexandria, VA), son, Lt. Col. USMC Ret and Cdr. USN Ret, respectively.

He is also survived by John Shank (Tucson, AZ) brother, James (Carol) Shank (Winamac) brother; Nicolas (Brenda) Shank (Mesa, AZ) brother; Mary Baker (Winamac) sister.

He was preceded in death by Thomas P. Shank Jr. (son); Edward Thomas Shank (grandson); Elizabeth “Betty” Shank (sister) and George Shank (brother).

Mr. Shank worked for Plymouth Tube in Winamac for 41 years. He served his community in many capacities, including as a member of the Sheriff Reserves, county councilman for 20 years, county auditor for four years, as county chairman of the 1976 U.S. bicentennial committee, and as a member of the Kiwanis Club. 

He had been a part of the scouting community starting in his youth as a Cub Scout in 1949, and continuing into his adult years as a leader. He was Scoutmaster for Troop 229 for 40 years, committee member of Cub Scout Pack 3230, assistant leader of Explorer Post 229, trainer for Girl Scout adult leaders, sat on the Eagle Scout Board of Review Committee, and took part in many Jamborees and camping events. Many happy times were spent at the Sagamore Council Camp Buffalo. He earned many awards including the Arrow of Light (November 1952), Eagle Scout (March 1958), Eagle Silver Palm (Septemberr 1959), Explorer Silver Award (June 1958), Order of the Arrow Vigil (September 1958), Youth Religious Emblem (October 1958), Den Leader Training (April 1974), Scouter’s Training (April 1976), Scouter’s Key (April 1978), Award of Merit (April 1978), Silver Beaver (May 1979), Woodbadge (September 1979), William H. Spurgeon III Award (May 1983), The St. George Adult Religious Emblem (April 2000), and the H. J. Halleck Community Service Award (1995).

Mr. Shank loved camping, canoeing, boating, and being outdoors. He enjoyed target, trap, and skeet shooting and his model trains. He dearly loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them and was never happier than when the house was full of family and friends. He and his wife celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on May 29, 2016.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug.  2, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. Private family burial will take place at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Winamac.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a favorite charity or to the Boy Scout Troop 229.

Cremation arrangements are in charge of Frain Mortuary.