Obituaries

Ernest D. Shanks

October 13th, 1932 – May 5th, 2021

Ernest Duane Shanks, age 88 of Astoria, Illinois, passed away at 8:50 am at Graham Hospital in Canton, Illinois. He was born on October 13, 1932 in Macomb, Illinois, the son of Ivan Ocie and Olive Mae (Frazee) Shanks. He married Jeannine Powell on February 4, 1951 in Brooklyn, Illinois. She survives.

Also surviving are four daughters; Vicky (and Dean) Conway of Astoria, Phyllis (and Rick) Batterton of Ipava, Illinois, Ann (and Bill Burnham) Mitchell of Canton, Illinois, and Roberta (and Chris) McCormick of Astoria, 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Ernest was preceded in death by his son Duane Kenneth Shanks and his granddaughter Bambi Shanks.

He was a welder for International Harvester for 17 years. He also was a timber buyer for Pekin Hardwood and was owner and operator of Evergreen Hygro Systems in Astoria. Ernest and Jeannine were managers of Camp Emmanuel in Astoria from 1975 to 1984.

Ernest was a member of the Woodland Church of the Brethren. He enjoyed reading and loved tending his gardens.

Visitation will be held at Shawgo Memorial Home on Monday, May 10th from 6-8 pm. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, May 11th at the Blackburn Cemetery in rural Brooklyn, Illinois. Jim Grossnickle-Batterton will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ernest's memory to Camp Emmanuel.

Condolences

May 5th, 2021

So sorry for your family's loss.
Jim and Deb Park

May 6th, 2021

So very sorry to hear this news, Ernie was a great guy and will be greatly missed by a y who knew him. Diane and Gary Westlake.

May 6th, 2021

So sorry for your loss
Many precious memories for sure
Thinking of you all
Gary & Bev Taylor
Miranda & Tristan Morrow

May 6th, 2021

So sorry to read this. Ernie was a good neighbor & I'll always count the Shanks family as friends. Steven & Joyce (Davis) Angel.

May 6th, 2021

Mike and I are so sorry to hear of your loss of Ernie!! Our thoughts and prayers for All of your Family!! 🙏🙏. Mike and Peg Davis

May 6th, 2021

Sorry to hear about Ernie,he blessed us many times with tomatoes in February, to can. Tommy and Pam Trone

May 6th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Marilyn Shawgo

May 6th, 2021

So very sorry for your great loss Ernie was a great man he was a great friend and boss I love him as family my love goes to all of you!!! Love and hugs !! ❤️🙏From Bill and Rosie Brockley

May 6th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family. Brenda Davis

May 6th, 2021

So sorry for your loss, he was a great guy. Saurbaugh family

May 6th, 2021

So sorry for your loss! He was a great man! He will be sadly missed by everyone that new him! Joyce Briggs

May 6th, 2021

We are so sorry to learn of your family's loss. Ernie was a wonderful man, and we always enjoyed his tomatoes. Prayers that God's love will bless you all with comfort and peace. Sincere sympathy from Gary & Cheryl (Cox) Matteson

May 6th, 2021

So sorry to hear this bad news. Love to you Annie. Toni Sayers

May 6th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Love , hugs and prayers for your family during this time!

May 6th, 2021

To all the Shanks Family, thinking of you during this difficult time. Bob & Susie Bucher

May 6th, 2021

Prayers to all. We had many good talks about plants and rocks.

May 6th, 2021

Cindy Chaffin

May 6th, 2021

So sorry for the loss of your Dad and granddad Nicki Hazzard

May 6th, 2021

Ernie was my second Dad. He treated me like one of his own. Especially since I spent so much time at their house. He had a great sense of humor, except during church (right Vicky). He will be missed, and we will always remember him. JoEllen and Ronnie Spencer, and families

May 6th, 2021

So sorry for your loss, prayers to all of the family. Dee Jones

May 6th, 2021

So sorry to hear of Ernie's passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Cousin, Sharon Vestal Bayne

May 6th, 2021

We were so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. He was such a nice man! Sending prayers. Keith & Christy Lehman

May 6th, 2021

We were so very sorry to hear of your loss. Your family has our sincere sympathy.
Pam and Mike France

May 6th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers to the family. Kelly, Jason and Brad Westlake

May 6th, 2021

So sorry about your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Paul and Carol Stambaugh

May 6th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with each of you

May 6th, 2021

I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort for the entire family
Melanie Moose Gutierrez

May 6th, 2021

Sorry for your loss..prayers comforter thefamily.steve and karen davis

May 6th, 2021

Phyllis and family - so sorry for your loss. I remember your dad very well from all of the times we would pal around when I went to spend the night with you. Tell your mom I love her lots. Prayers for all of you. Love, Marsha Robinson Clements

May 6th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Prayers for all of you. Beverly Surratt Lee

May 6th, 2021

So sorry for your family’s loss. I remember him as a kind man. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Dick & Sandy Bent

May 7th, 2021

May your family find comfort and peace in the memories of life shared with your dad. Jennifer Stambaugh

May 7th, 2021

So sorry for your family’s loss. Prayers for all. Caryl Lasswell

May 7th, 2021

Sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort to such a nice family.
Darryl & Beckie Naff

May 7th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Prayers for all. Eriko Tokura.

May 7th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Enjoyed visiting with him on our walks. Keeping you all in our prayers.
Joe & Letha Stambaugh

May 7th, 2021

So sorry for your loss.Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Alan and Georgiana Clemens

May 8th, 2021

SOrry for the loss of Ernie. He was a great guy. Making n Marilyn Biesentha

May 8th, 2021

Jeannine and Family, we are saddened to hear of Ernie's passing. He was such a nice man and loved his family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Bob and Melba Baker

May 8th, 2021

Jeannine and Family, We were saddened to hear of Ernie's passing. He and Jeannine were managers at Camp Emmanuel in 1977 when we first started attending camps there. They were both so gracious, great ambassadors for the camp. We will always remember their kindness and many contributions to the camp over the years.

Ray and Kitty Knotts - Peoria

May 9th, 2021

We are sad to read of Ernie’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Gale and Annie Beekman

May 9th, 2021

Annie and Bill, we are sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. May Jesus surround you with His loving kindness and comfort. Diane and Garry Sickles

May 10th, 2021

May God’s Comfort and Peace be yours.
Chaplain Terry Link

May 10th, 2021

Heart felt condolences to your family. May God's peace surround you. Lynda Willmann

May 10th, 2021

Please accept sincere sympathy. Went to grade school at Littleton with Duane, Vicky, and Phyllis. Knew Olive from the Littleton Restaurant when I was little. Keep your memories close! Susan Hodges Acker

May 11th, 2021

My heart breaks to read this, I spent so much uch time with this family as a child. The whole family is in my thoughts today,as you all say good bye to Grandpa Ernie. I cherish all my memories of Sunday dinners, spending nights with Bambi and Molly dancing and singing in the basement, picking tomatoes even though I hated tomatoes. Love Mandy Haney

May 11th, 2021

Our sympathy to all the Shanks family. We were neighbors when we were first married. Such a lovely couple. Hugs to you all.

May 11th, 2021

Garth and Carolyn Cripe

May 13th, 2021

Our love and prayers go out to the Ernie Shanks family , how we loved him, his sweet smile, his comical personality , and sharing his family and stories of love , his dedication for God and for being and a great sunday school teacher and the love he had for his church and family . Love his sense of humor and may the Lord Bless and keep you always in his loving care and give you comfort knowing he is with God ,love to you all Greg and Vonna Beach