Shank, Ward DeWitt (1892-1974)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Apr 18 p. 11

Birth date: 1892 Dec 28

text of obituary:

WARD DEWITT SHANK

Ward DeWitt Shank was born on Dec. 28, 1892 in Rockingham County near Dayton, Va. to Jacob L. and Fannie (Good) Shank. He died on Nov. 15, 1973 in the Sarasota, Fla. hospital from a heart attack suffered less than three hours before death.

He grew up in Virginia and when he was 19 year sold his father hired him out to Bishop A. C. Good of Sterling, Ill. In the winter of 1948-49 he came to Sarasota, Fla., which he continued to do every winter since.

Ward was married to Agnes Landis on Jan. 28, 1915. To this union seven children were born: Ralph, Wilda (deceased in 1972) Pfile; Vada (Mrs. Harold Frey); Grace (Mrs. Clifford Witmer); Raymond, Wilmer and Goldie (Mrs. Marvin Pfile).

He was a farmer all his life and enjoyed his work. He was an active member of the Science Ridge Mennonite Church. He was grandfather 30 times and great-grandfather 18 times. Ward loved to auctioneer and would go to the auction of the Christian Day School in Sarasota twice a year.

His first wife, Agnes, died on Nov. 14, 1966. On Dec. 31, 1967 he married Winona Swartz, who survives.

In addition to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren he leaves three brothers, Weldon M. of Sterling, Daniel G. and Wilmer P. of Harrisonburg, Va.; three sisters, Mrs. Annie R. Weaver, Mrs. Jake (Mary) Suter and Mrs. Herman (Grace) Campbell, all of Harrisonburg, Va.

A memorial service was conducted in Sarasota on Nov. 17 by Nelson Kanagy of Bay Shore Mennonite Church and Laurance Main, a United Brethren minister. The funeral was held at Science Ridge Mennonite Church, Sterling, on Nov. 19. Edwin Stalter and Mark Lehman officiated.

Preceding him to glory besides his parents, his first wife, Agnes, and a daughter Wilda were a granddaughter, Merna Frey, and two brothers.