Obituary of James Elbert Shanks

Of Mt. Morris, age 94, died Sunday, July 7, 2013 at Tender Care Frankenmuth. The funeral service will take place 1:00 pm, Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services in Mt. Morris with burial to follow in Flint Memorial Park. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on Wednesday from 12:00 pm to the time of service. Memorial contributions may be directed to the VFW National Home for Children. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. James was born on May 25, 1919 in Muskegon, Michigan the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Jennings Bryan and Dora May (Sanders) Shanks. He and Mary D. Keeport were united in marriage on February 9, 1944 in Mt. Morris. He worked for Kurtz Gravel as a heavy machine operator retiring with 30 years of service. He was a member of the baptist faith and V.F.W. Post #1452. He also attended many of the Army reunions all over the United States. He enjoyed bowling, cutting wood, welding, fabricating hydraulic wood splitters, deer hunting, snow plowing, listening to big band and country music. Left to cherish his memory, two children, Jimie Williams and husband, Don Gardner, Morris Shanks and wife, Anne; grandchildren, Sean Williams and wife, Heather, Clare Williams and wife, Tiffanie, Ryan Shanks and wife, Lisa, Jason Shanks and fiance, Melissa, Aaron Shanks and Kaylyn Shanks; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Bryan and Paul Shanks; sisters, Orpha Nelson and Jeanette DeKalb He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; grand baby Shanks; brother, Jack Shanks and sister, Doris Jean. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home, church or online at www.martinfuneralhome.com.