Paul Dean Shanks

Paul Dean Shanks

Paul was God's special gift to his family. He is preceded in death by his loving parents, Harry and Mildred (Coffee) Shanks and brother, Donald Keith Shanks. He is survived by a brother, Charles Glenn Shanks (wife Patricia), and sister Anna Marlene Shanks Albanese; a special extended family member, Frank Albanese; and close friend Mitch Siler, Jerry Northern, and many loving neighbors. Paul was proud to have four nieces, eighteen great-nieces and nephews, and six great great nieces and nephews.

Paul lived most of his life in Vandalia, Ohio loving and being loved by most everyone. Paul was kind and courteous; spoke easily to everyone; and never met a stranger.

Paul had great faith in God and loved Jesus Christ. He was active in church, Christian Tabernacle of Dayton Ohio, Grace Brethren of Vandalia and others I cannot recall. Paul was a baptized member since 1986 of First Baptist Church of Vandalia, Ohio. For many years he helped on the buses and van ministry. He enjoyed attending the Saturday morning bus meetings and visitation routes to invite the kids to Church. On Sunday mornings he would help by running door to door alerting the kids that their ride to church had arrived and helping keep order on the buses. He liked to listen to the sermons and sang heartily in the church and would be ready to shout out an "Amen!” encouraging the pastor during his sermon.

Before Paul’s father passed away in 1980, the two would frequent Christian Tabernacle church, Jim’s Donut Shop, the VFW and many other local places. They became inseparable. Paul took losing his Dad at 15 years old very hard. Paul enjoyed going for rides in the car to anywhere, first with his dad and later with his mom and more recently with his brother, Chuck.

Paul’s mother, Mildred, was his caregiver of 57 years until her passing into our Lord’s presence on Easter in 2016. She and Paul would often visit family, friends, previous pastors and church members, and take rides to see the old family farm north of Bradford, Ohio. They often went to Church and especially enjoyed attending "50 and Uppers" Seniors’ group at First Baptist. Mildred was protective of Paul and his health so when Paul became housebound due mainly because of the danger of injury from seizures, having had many falls and broken bones, they would enjoy watching Christian television, TV Land and listening to the radio most days.

Just before Mildred’s passing, she commented: “I would die for Paul”. She truly dedicated her life to his care.

While living in Greenville most of 2016 Paul brought love and joy to so very many people, Paul attended Greenville Missionary Church and bonded with his brother and sister in law more than ever before seeing each other most days and doing so many fun things together. Loving memories that will last until we are together again with our Lord Jesus Christ for eternity. There were many tears and kind words and condolences,with memories of Paul at church Sunday. Pastor Gary' Oser has known and ministered to and for Paul and our family for the last three years tirelessly, as have others at church through prayer and encouragement and concern, praying without ceasing for him. And visiting and encouraging Paul through his darkest hours.

The last three years Paul struggled cheerfully to live in a world of care facilities that were foreign to him even though many of the people at them were loving and caring and tried to make the transition easier for him. Paul enjoyed bringing joy to each life he touched right up to his last day. It was common to hear nurses and aides comment “We love Paul”. He just celebrated his 60th Birthday at Union City Nursing facility. Paul was used by God in the Salvation of a mother and daughter at Union City when a lay minister came there to pray for Paul and shared the Gospel with them. Paul was cheerful even though his health had declined considerably in his last days. He made a special effort to wink and throw kisses to his beloved sister in law, Patty, and tell her he loved her. In his last hour, he made sure to introduce his brother to one of the young nurse's aids by saying "this is Charles Glenn Shanks, my Brother " just as he so often had done over the years, with pride.

As Paul was leaving this earth, his brother reminded him that "Jesus Loves You"," We Love You" "We will miss you", and “We will be along soon” and those of us that trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior, most assuredly will!

* Gospel of John verse 14:6 *

To view Paul's Life Stories Memory DVD, please use this link: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/DT7NP9QP5YYZD3XN