Wilbur Shank

Wilbur L. Shank, 94, passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at the Towne House Retirement Community in Fort Wayne. He had been a resident there for seven years. He was born in Noble County on February 18, 1930, to the late Fred and Vera (Lock) Shank. Wilbur spent his life in Whitley County. He graduated from Churubusco High School in 1948. After high school, he served in the United States Navy from 1948 to 1952. He met his wife, Ollie, on leave in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1951. They married on April 7, 1951, and lived in Jacksonville until 1952, when he was discharged from the Navy and relocated back to Churubusco. Ollie preceded him in death in 2014. He retired from Dana Corporation in 1990 after 42 years of service. After retiring, he volunteered for over ten years with Whitley County Habitat for Humanity, helping build houses and place families. He was an active member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church. He joined the International Order of the Odd Fellows (IOOF) in 1948 and has been a member since. He held the position of past District Deputy Grand Master and then received the distinction of the Meritorious Award in 2008. Wilbur is survived by his daughters, Cheryl Wyatt and Monica Shank; his grandsons, Andy and Toby Ott; and a brother, Clyde Shank. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Orthel, Floyd, and Thad; his sisters, Betty Meiers and Marilyn Felzer. A funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m., on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home, Churubusco Chapel, with calling beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place in the Eel River Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Churubusco United Methodist Church. Sheets & Childs Funeral Home has been entrusted with these arrangements.