MONTGOMERY — Robert E. Shanks, 80, formerly of Kokomo, passed away at 11:18 a.m. Friday at his residence in Montgomery.
He was born Nov. 17, 1929, in Kokomo, to the late William Jaybird and Florence Pearl (Hyde) Shanks. Robert was first married to Mary Lois (Clark) Shanks, who passed away Feb. 3, 1961. He also was married to Dorothy O. (Crawford) Shanks, and then was married to Joann (Sutton) Shanks and she passed away Dec. 3, 2007.
Robert graduated from Kokomo High School and served in the National Guard. He was employed as a bindery superintendent at Cuneo Press, but then retired in 1990 after 27 years of service from Chrysler where he was a job-setter. His memberships include Aikman Creek Baptist Church in Daviess County, of which he was a deacon, UAW 685, of which he was past union president. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, belonging to the North American Fish Club and Pike County Bird Hunters Club.
Surviving are four sons and two daughters-in-law, Jack Garwood of Kokomo, Robert M. and Deborah Shanks of Griffith, Bruce E. Shanks of Daviess County, Daniel J. and Carey Shanks of Kokomo; one daughter, Sherry Glaze of Kokomo; three stepdaughters and two stepsons-in-law, Veda and Allen Popelka of Kokomo, Ronda and Russell Adolph of Florida, Page Basicker of Russiaville; two stepsons and a one stepdaughter-in-law, Kirk DeWeese of New Orleans, Eric and Melissa DeWeese of Kokomo; 18 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Marilyn and Ron Willet of Florida, Doris and Robert Campbell of Kokomo, Janine Harless of Kokomo, and Donna Surbey of Kokomo; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Larry Shanks of Valparaiso, Jim and Sharon Shanks of Ocala, Fla.; sister-in-law, Martha Shanks.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Deborah Susan McKay; stepson, Roger Guthrie; sister, Shirley Hesselman; and brother, George William Shanks.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Ellers Mortuary Webster Street Chapel, 3400 S. Webster St., with Rev. Kenneth Spangler officiating. Burial will follow at Albright Cemetery.
Friends may visit with the family from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the mortuary.
You are invited to read Robert’s obituary at www.ellersmortuary.com, where you may sign the guest book, share a personal message, or order flowers for the family. Ellers Mortuary Webster Street Chapel assisted the family with arrangements.
(March 12, 2010)
