Richard Morris Shank, Sr., 84, of New Palestine, passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. He was born on Dec. 28, 1929, to Morris and Catherine Shank (Dickerson). He married Carmen A. Thomas on Sept. 23, 1954, in Las Vegas.
Richard was a 1948 graduate of Centerville High School where he was proudly lettered in baseball, basketball and track.
After graduation, he worked at Miller Brothers Hardware in Richmond, until he took a leave of absence and enlisted in the Navy. He served in the Navy during the Korean conflict until his honorable discharge in 1954. Richard was awarded the National Defense Medal, Korean Service Medal with 1 Star, Naval Occupation of Asia Medal, Good Conduct Medal and The United Nations Korean Service Medal.
He then continued work for Miller Brothers Hardware until its closing, Kiefabers Plumbing Supply, New Palestine Hardware and Pickets Hardware until its closing in 2002. Not only did Richard serve 35 years on the New Palestine Town Council. where he helped establish the New Palestine Planning and Zoning Commission, he also had the opportunity to have a helping hand in The Economic Development, Hancock County Transportation Advisory Board and the Redevelopment Commission and also served on the New Palestine Cemetry Board of Directors.
He was a member of The National Rifle Association, a lifetime member of the New Palestine Lions Club, where he held several offices and a 59 year member of the American Legion Post # 182. Dick lived by Milton Berle’s motto: “Leave em Laughing."
Left to cherish his memory is his son, Richard M. (Tonta) Shank, Jr.; daughter, Sharon (Larry Joe) Fox; four grandsons, Richard III of Greenwood, Craig of New York, Jacob of Speedway, Samuel of Knightstown; and brother, Duane (Evelyn) Shank of Centerville.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Carmen and his daughter, Debra.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, with services to follow at 1 p.m. at Hendryx Mortuary, New Palestine Chapel.
