Obituary of Jack Shankland

Shankland, Jack Thurston Age 90. Peacefully Saturday, July 23, 2011 at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center with his family at his side. Born in Quincy, Illinois on March 20, 1921 to Clinton and Elizabeth (Weigand) Shankland. Jack graduated from Quincy College Academy, attended Drake University and St. Ambrose College, and received his Associates Degree from Joliet Junior College. He was married to Mary E. Niemann on June 15, 1948 in Quincy. He was a World War II veteran serving in the South Pacific. For 37 years he was employed by Illinois Bell Telephone Company in Rock Island and Joliet. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law, Antoinette and Ferd Niemann, Sr., youngest child Paul at birth, grandson Kyle Flavin, brother Richard and sister-in-law Mildred. Jack is survived by Mary his loving wife of 63 years. Also surviving are his children: Mary (David) Lawson, Beth (Michael) Hansen, Christine (Rod) Springer, Ann (Robert) Hatfield, Susan (Robert) Flavin, John Shankland, Sarah (Frank) Turk III, Thomas (Joan) Shankland, William (Tina) Shankland, and Joseph (Elaine) Shankland; his grandchildren: Daniel Hayes, Kevin, Eric, Andrew and Mary Catherine Hansen, Nick, Lauren, Patrick, Ryan, Taylor and Nolan Springer, Marc, John, and Kathryn (TC Jackson) Hatfield, Kelly, Kathleen, Kristen, Kevin and Kara Flavin, Shea, Megan, Frank and Jack Turk, Christina (Drew Perryman), Melissa, Tom, Chelsea and Shauna Shankland, Zachary and Alexandra Shankland, Patrick and Lindsay Shankland and step-grandchildren: David and Mike Lawson, Mark (Meagan) Springer and Matt (Jeannette) Springer. Also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law: James and Catherine Johnson, Rita (Ferd - 2007) Niemann Jr., Richard and Connie Niemann all of Quincy, Illinois as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Jack was an avid golfer, painter, gardener, carpenter, photographer and drummer. He enjoyed spending hours researching in the library and traveling the countryside with Mary by his side. He was a devoted husband and wonderful father who provided constant love, discipline, and guidance to his ten "little tykes". Jack cherished his wife and each of his children as gifts from God. He was truly a blessing to his family, a faithful Catholic, and most of all a good and upright man. How he will be missed! We are grateful to his loving caretaker Vira, his personal chef, son-in-law Rod, and all the doctors, nurses, and religious especially, Fr. Michael Lane, Fr. Joseph Kudilil, Deacon William Hetzel and Sr. Rita Mandella, OSF who patiently and lovingly supported Jack and the family throughout these past years. Funeral Services for Jack Shankland will be Friday, July 29, 2011 at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home to the Church of St. Jude for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment Woodlawn Memorial Park II. The family requests that memorials in his name be made to his beloved parish, The Church of St. Jude Building Fund, 2212 McDonough St., Joliet, IL 60436. Visitation Thursday 3-8 p.m. at: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet For information: (815) 741-5500