Evelyn Ruth Gesell Shank, 89, went home to be with our Lord on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born on a farm, north of Brookville, Indiana on June 5, 1935 to Ira and Ada (Meyer) Gesell. She often talked of her childhood home, which didn't have electricity until she was about 5, how she liked to roller skate on the sidewalk, ride in the neighbor's pony cart to take water to the threshers, swing on the porch swing and play paper dolls behind the cook stove in the summer kitchen while her mother canned. When Evelyn was 8, the family moved to their farm on "The Round Barn Road." She graduated with the Centerville High School Class of 1953 where she was a majorette, played the clarinet in the band, and met her future husband. On February 20th, 1955 at St. John's Lutheran Church, she married her high school sweetheart, Kent Duane (Doc) Shank. The couple settled south of Centerville, building the family home where she lived until her passing.

Evelyn was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Klemme's Corner, was confirmed and married at St. John's Lutheran Church in Richmond where she was a attended from the age of 8 years old until the church's closing, then, she transferred membership to Trinity Lutheran Church in Richmond.

After high school, Evelyn worked as a secretary at Insurance of North America (INA) and then at The Belden until she began her new career as "Mom" in 1960. In the late 70s, she went back to work at Elder-Beerman, managing several departments during her 20 years as full-time, retiring in 1999. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, member of the Calico Cooks Homemaker Club, and was a CHS Band Booster for her children and grandson. She served on many committees at church and was a member of The Centerville Senior Center. She and her husband travelled with their children on many wonderful camping trips which included a six-week camping trip through Canada, Alaska, and the Northwest. She and Doc loved to dance and she tap danced with her daughters while taking lessons at Dixon Dance Studio. She was also an avid reader and in her senior years, loved to work word searches and cross word puzzles.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 69 years, Kent (Doc) Duane  Shank. Children Thomas (Nyla) Shank of Eminence, Elizabeth (Dan) Fodrea of Winchester, and Rebecca (Mike Brown) Shank of Richmond. Grandchildren Hope (Greg) Bray of Coatesville, Taylor (Felicia Rhea) Shank of Eminence, Kelly (Jeremy) Kean of Richmond, and Branden (Courtney) Mathews of Centerville. Great-Grandchildren Ellie Mathews, Gabe Mathews, Levi Bray, and Cooper Bray. Special Niece Sharon (Larry Joe) Fox of Knightstown. Bonus family Anthony (Emily) Fodrea, Andrea Fodrea, and Chad (Cindy) Larsh, along with their children. Also, five surviving cousins, her special fur baby, Little Margo and special friends Bruce and Linda Mathews of Richmond, and Tonya and Jeff Millsaps of Richmond.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, sister and brother in-law, Maynard and Thelma Harlan, Niece Debbie Shank, Brother-in-law Richard Shank and his wife, Carman.

Per Evelyn's request, a graveside service will be held at Crown Hill Cemetery (Centerville) on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 11:00 am, with Monte Poling, Lay Minister of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Winchester, officiating. Memorials may be made to The Help Shelter in Richmond, Centerville Senior Center, or a charity of choice.

Thank you to Stegall-Berheide-Orr for providing care in the final arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at stegallberheideorr.com.