Shank, Clarence A. (1885-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 163 Apr 25 p. 3

Birth date: 1885 Feb 26

text of obituary:

Long-Time Pastor Dies At Wakarusa, Ind.

Wakarusa, Ind. — Funeral services for Rev. Clarence A. Shank, 78, retired pastor of the Olive Mennonite Church north of Wakarusa, were conducted at the Olive church on April 18. He served as pastor of this church for 45 years, having been ordained there in 1917.

Rev. Shank died unexpectedly Monday evening, April 15, while working at his farm near the church.

During his long ministry he was associated with mission outposts of the Olive congregation at Crumstown near South Bend, and Hudson Lake near New Carlisle. He served for many years on the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Mission Board, of which he had been president and vice-president. In this connection he helped establish a number of new churches in Northern Michigan and Indiana.

A lifelong resident of this community, he leaves his widow, the former Maggie Everest; two daughters, Miss Beulah Shank, at home, and Mrs. Dorvin Ferguson of Route 4, Elkhart; and one son Jacob W. Shank of Wakarusa.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Jul 4 p. 8

text of obituary:

CLARENCE A. SHANK

Rev. Clarence A. Shank, 78, died suddenly of a heart attack at his farm north of Wakarusa, Ind. on Monday, April 15.

Funeral services were held at the Olive Mennonite Church, with burial in the adjoining cemetery. J. C. Wenger and Elno Steiner had charge of the service.

He was born Feb. 26, 1885, in Elkhart the only child of Rev. Jacob and Margaret (Hunsberger) Shank and spent his entire life in the Wakarusa community. He was married March 16, 1907. to Maggie Everest who survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Beulah, at home and Mrs. Dorvin Ferguson of Route 4, Elkhart, a son, Jacob W. of Route 4, Elkhart, three grandsons, and five great-granddaughters.

He was a retired minister of the Olive Mennonite Church north of Wakarusa where he was ordained May 5, 1917. During the latter part of his 45 years as a minister he also was associated with the mission outposts of the Olive church and was instrumental in the establishment of a church at Crumstown near South Bend and the Hudson Lake church at New Carlisle. Both are now developed into congregations.

A strong promoter of missions, he served for many years in the Indiana-Michigan Mission Board as its vice-president. During these years he spent much time helping to establish a chain of new churches in Upper Michigan and parts of Indiana.

Mr. Shank studied in the academy of Elkhart Institute during 1900-1901. His father Jacob and grandfather Michael were both ministers.

Mr. and Mrs. Shank noted their 56th wedding anniversary on March 16, having celebrated their 50th anniversary with an open house in 1957. He preached his last sermon Sunday evening March24.