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1954 Ronald 2017

Ronald Shank

November 9, 1954 — November 7, 2017

Obituary Image
Ronald Edwin Shank
Retired Sergeant - Army

Blythe, GA  –              Ronald Edwin Shank, Retired Sergeant First Class, 62, loving husband of 41 years to Sandra Lee Shank, entered into his eternal rest Tuesday evening, November 7, 2017 at his residence. Funeral services with full military honors will be held in the James Funeral Home Chapel at 2:30 P.M. Saturday afternoon, November 11, 2017 with Eddie Herring officiating.  Interment will follow in the Mt. Moriah Church Cemetery.

Ron was born and raised near Harrisburg PA. Being a patriot, he joined the Army before completing high school. He took advantage of the Army’s education offerings, obtaining his GED and taking college courses toward a BA degree. While stationed in Germany, he met and married the love of his life in 1976.  Ron served as a Supply Sergeant and made the Army his career, meaning that the family travelled a lot as he was transferred to different posts— several tours in Germany, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. Having twenty years of service in, he decided to retire while stationed at Fort Gordon and to make Blythe their permanent home.  He loved the South often saying that he was a “Southern Yankee”.  Ron took his job with the Army, his role as husband and father, and life, in general, very seriously; however, people knew him to be “goofy” and comical as he wanted people to smile, laugh and be happy. His favorite pastimes were fishing and working with his hands—building bird houses, working on small engines, working in his yards.  He was also an avid coin collector.  The only time he was still was when working in and with his coins.  A loving husband, great father, awesome granddad, devoted friend, Ron was a man people knew they could depend upon and trust. This self-sacrificing, honorable patriot will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Ron was preceded in death by his son, Ronald Douglas Shank; his parents, Margaret Ruth Parker Shank and Charles Herbert Shank; and five siblings, his twin Donald Shank, LZ Warren Shank, Jean Marie King, Joann Shank and Barbara Ruth Shank. Other survivors include his two daughters, Penny M. Shank (Julie) and Carrie L. Peels; four siblings, Fred Shank (Charlene), Charles Shank II, Rick Shank (Agnes) and Peggy Stump (James); and three grandchildren, Ricky Lee Shank, Kylie Marie Shank and Maggie Thrasher; other extended family and friends.  Serving as pallbearers will be the Army Honor Guard.

Heartfelt thanks are extended to all Alliance Hospice for their compassionate care and support.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 1:00-2:30 P.M. Saturday afternoon, November 11, 2017 prior to the funeral service.

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Letting Go

The angels gathered near your bed
So very close to you
For they knew the pain and suffering
That you were going through.
I thought about so many things
As I held tightly to your hand.
Oh, how I wished that you were strong
And healthy once again.
But your eyes were looking homeward
To that place beyond the sky
Where Jesus held His outstretched arms.
It was time to say “Goody-bye”.
I struggled with my selfish thoughts
For I wanted you to stay
So we could walk and talk again
Like we did just yesterday.
But Jesus knew the answer
And I know He loved you so.
So, I gave to you the greatest gift—
The gift of letting go.
Now my heart will carry memories
Of the love you gave to me
Until we meet again in heaven
Where the best is yet to be.


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