WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Fred E. Shank Jr., age 69, of Sturgis, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at home following a battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving wife, children, and family.
He was born to Fred E. and Marjorie R. (Luttrull) Shank on Sept. 14, 1954 in Muskegon. His family moved to Sturgis in 1965.
Fred married Robyn S. Hettinger on June 17, 1978 and they have 2 sons: Nick and Courtney Shank.
He attended Sturgis Public Schools and graduated SHS with the class of 1973. He then attended and graduated from Glen Oaks Community College with Suma Cum Laude and an Associates Degree of Applied Science and a dual degree in technology.
He retired from Lippert Components in Goshen in July of 2021. He was very active in the sports his two boys participated in from Little League (being a coach) through high school. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren play their sports from football, baseball, basketball, softball , volleyball, and bowling.
Fred was an avid bowler for many years and played fast pitch softball for many summers. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with the boys, grandkids, brothers, nieces and nephews. He enjoyed playing golf on a league at Green Valley for many years. He was a lifelong fan of Notre Dame Football and in recent years basketball, loved watching John Wayne movies, and riding his motorcycle.
He held several positions with the local Boy Scouts and Cub Scout troops. He was a member of the St. Joseph County Conservation and Sportsman Club. He was a member of the board of Directors and was the Hunter Safety Education Director for several years.
Surviving are his wife: Robyn; sons: Nick (Tracy) Shank of Bronson and Courtney Shank of Sturgis; grandchildren: Cody and Erica Halferty, Andrea Shank, McKenna, Knisley, Kacey, Breylyn, and Abel Shank all of Sturgis; sister: Loreta (Len) Roe of Constantine; 2 brothers: Jeff (Tina) Shank of Ft. Wayne, and Greg (Cathy) Shank of Sturgis;
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nephew: Justin Roe, Great-nephews: Jacob Michuda and Mason Shank.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Friday, January 26, 2024 at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091.
The family will also receive friends from 10:45 A.M. to 12:45 P.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.
Services celebrating the life of Fred E. Shank Jr. will be held at 1:00 Saturday at the funeral home.
Graveside services will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to the family to help with expenses, envelopes are available at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes who have been entrusted with the arrangements.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
