Thomas Patrick Shank Sr.
Thomas Patrick Shank Sr., 74, of Winamac, passed away Thursday morning, July 28, surrounded by his family.
Tom was born Nov. 29, 1941, to Kermit and Rose (Nicolas) Shank in Logansport. He lived his entire life in Winamac. In 1962, he married Judy Lewis at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Monterey.
Tom 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 chairman of the Bicentennial Committee, and as a member of the Kiwanis Club. Tom has 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.
Tom earned many awards including the Arrow of Light (November 1952), Eagle Scout (March 1958), Eagle Silver Palm (September 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, M.D. Award (1995).
Tom 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. Tom and Judy celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on May 29, 2016.
Tom is survived by his wife Judy (Lewis) Shank of Winamac; daughters: Jennifer L. Shank-Maxwell of Winamac, and Katherine Rose [Andrew] Buchanan of Indianapolis; sons: Edward Patrick [Tammy Hendryx] Shank of Winamac, and Milo Lewis [Julie Hansen] Shank Lt. Col. U.S. Marine Corps. Retired and Cdr. U.S. Navy Retired, respectively, of Alexandria, Virginia; grandsons: John Shank of Winamac, Michael [Brandy Ehler] Maxwell of Winamac, and Bryan [Rachelle Drang] Shank of Winamac; granddaughter Rachel [Phillip] Budd of Winamac; great-granddaughters: Allie Marie Elizabeth Ehler of Winamac, and Brooklynn Jean Skye Ehler of Winamac; and Brentley Sue Budd of Winamac; great-grandsons: Drake Button of Winamac, and Jackson Edward Budd of Winamac; brothers: John Shank of Tucson, Arizona, James [Carol] Shank of Winamac, and Nicolas [Brenda] Shank of Mesa, Arizona; and sister Mary Baker of Winamac.
He was preceded in death by his son Thomas P. Shank Jr.; grandson Edward Thomas Shank; parents Kermit and Rose (Nicolas) Shank; sister Elizabeth “Betty” Shank and brother George Shank.
Friends called from 3-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Private family burial will take place in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your favorite charity or to the Boy Scout Troop 229.
Frain Mortuary is in charge of cremation arrangements.
(Pulaski County Journal — Aug. 3, 2016)