Shirley Ann Shenk was born January 9, 1935, in Pinto, Maryland, and went Home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 17, 2022.  She was the beloved wife of Carl Shenk for 66 years, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many.

Shirley was a multi-talented woman. She sewed, crocheted and knitted beautifully; she also made the finest quilts including embroidering the Scripture verses on the quilts “For the Children Quilting Ministry” at Central Baptist Church. Shirley and Carl made many wonderful wooden gifts which they stained and she tole painted. She was a custom drapery consultant for years as well as a gifted cook.

Shirley was a positive, loving, welcoming, giving person, and she exuded, “I am so happy to see you!”  Her greatest joy was her personal salvation and daily walk with her Savior.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).  Her life verse was Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Shirley’s next greatest joy was her family, all of whom she loved dearly and prayed for daily.  Shirley and Carl spent many years volunteering for the Mobile Missionary Assistance Program (MMAP) traveling across the country to assist churches, Christian camps and other Christian organizations.  They met and made many friends along their journeys.  Shirley will be missed greatly here on earth, but  we look forward to the day when each of us who has made the choice to accept Jesus as personal Lord and Savior will be reunited with her in Heaven.

Shirley’s passing was preceded in death by her first husband Sanford Martin when she was twenty; by her parents, Wes and Sue Collins; her brother John Collins and his wife Darlene; and her daughter-in-law, Robin Shenk.  She is survived by her devoted husband Carl Shenk; her children Perry Martin Shenk and his wife Blanca; Bryan Martin Shenk and his wife Carolyn; Carla Harle and her husband Bill; her ten grandchildren; nineteen well-beloved great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Sue Yoder and her husband Ted, and Jim Collins and his wife Linda.  

Shirley was an active member of Central Baptist Church.  A Celebration of Life was held Monday, October 24, 2022, at the church.