WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Fred E. Shank Sr., age 79, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Thursday morning, March 17, 2011, at Sturgis Hospital.
He was born Dec. 2, 1931, in Coldwater, Mich., a son of the late Stanley S. and Esther (Carver) Shank.
Fred was a longtime Sturgis resident and had attended schools in Coldwater, Freemont, Ind., and Muskegon.
On Dec. 6, 1952, he married Marjorie R. Luttrull at the Marquette Chapel in Muskegon.
Fred was a truck driver by trade and had driven for Oil-Ways Inc. Wolverine Express in Muskegon and OIM Indianhead Truck Lines in Sturgis retiring in 1985. Following his retirement he joined Federal Paperboard, Inc in Sturgis where he had been employed as a traffic and purchasing manager from 1985 until his second retirement in 1992.
Fred was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Air Force from March 30, 1948-March 29, 1952 earning the rank of Sergeant. He was Life member of Neuman-Wenzel Post #73 American Legion, Jack Johnston Chapter #88 DAV, and Charter member of Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW Auxiliary. He also held memberships in the Eagles #1314 Golden Age Eagle, Loyal Order of Moose #574 since 1966 and the Michigan Sheriff’s Association. He received the Volunteer Appreciation Award from VFW Post #1355 VFW in 2003.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Marjorie; one daughter, Loretta (Leonard) Roe, Jr.; three sons, Fred (Robyn) Shank, Jr., Jeff (Tina) Shank and Greg (Cathy) Shank; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; one sister, Virginia Bell; two brothers, Michael Shank and Patrick (Val) Shank; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother; father; step-mother; one grandson, Justin T. Roe; three brothers, Dr. Paul C. Shank, Richard R. Shank and Stanley Shank Jr.; and close friends, Bob and Rose Burns
The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Sunday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091, (269) 651-3284. Funeral services celebrating the life of Fred E. Shank will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Mr. Larry Wallman will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis where full military rites will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations would be appreciated to the family c/o: Fred Shank, Jr., 513 S. Jefferson St., Sturgis, MI 49091.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
