John Lewis Shenk

John Lewis Shenk was born September 7, 1931, at Rantoul, Kansas. He was the son of Cletus Jerome and Sally (Haughn) Shenk. A lifelong Franklin County resident, he made his home in Ottawa, Kansas, until his death Friday, March 29, 2002, at the age of seventy years. John graduated from Rantoul High School with the class of 1949. He farmed until the late 1960's. He was also a heavy equipment operator with Local Union #101, of Kansas City, Missouri, working for several companies in the area on large projects, roads and bridges, retiring in 1985. J ohn served in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1954. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901, both of Ottawa. He was also a 40-year member of Local Union #101, Kansas City, Missouri. John enjoyed visiting with his family and grandchildren and socializing with his friends. An avid sports fan, he especially enjoyed watching basketball and football. On April 15, 1954, John was united in marriage with June Delores White at Woodbury, New Jersey. She survives of Thorofare, New Jersey. He is also survived by four sons, Bill Loder and his wife, Cindy, of Largo, Florida, John Shenk, Jr. and his wife, Pam, of Wichita, Clark Shenk of Salina, Victor Shenk and his wife, Lynn, of DeSoto; sister, Gladys Keefer of Ottawa; brother, William Shenk of Duran, Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Randy Shenk; brother, Jackson Shenk; and two sisters, Nina Fisher and Eunice Strickland. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2002, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. OFFICIANT: Rev. Ken Hennesey. IN STATE: Mr. Shenk will lie in state at Dengel & Son Mortuary after 5:00 p.m. Monday until the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Tuesday evening. CEMETERY: Ruhamah Cemetery, Rantoul, Kansas, with military honors by V.F.W. Memorial Post #5901, Ottawa. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.