Wilbur L. Shanks Obituary (1937 - 2018)

Wilbur L. Shanks, 80, of Bloomington, passed away at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal. His funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 9, 2018 at Holy Trinity Church, Bloomington, with Monsignor Douglas Hennessy officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, with a prayer service at 7p.m. Interment will follow services at Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Midwest Affiliate). To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com. He was born May 12, 1937 in Cooksville, son of Wilbur N. and Dorothy Tipsord Shanks. He married the love of his life Nomi L. Gibbs on June 20, 1959 in Bloomington and together they welcomed four children and enjoyed 59 years of marriage. Surviving are his wife, Nomi, of Bloomington; three children, Beth Ann (fiance' Jason Lartz) Murphy, Chris (Elisa) Shanks and Karen (Shawn) Schwiderski, all of Bloomington; ten granddaughters, Kylee Murphy, Taylor (Jerry II) Grieco, Meghan (Kyle) Floyd, Sydney, Lauren, Samantha & Logan Shanks and Paige, Katelyn & Morgan Schwiderski; three great-grandchildren, Camden & Chase Grieco and Riley Floyd; two sisters, Mary Penn of Bloomington, Lola (Bill) Rosensteel of West Virginia; one brother, Dan Shanks of Bloomington and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are extended family, Caleb (Brittany) Fiscus and their sons, Caden & Brody of Downs. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Julia Shanks on December 30, 2017 and one sister, Elaine Blasi. Wilbur enjoyed a long career at Eureka Company, where he retired as a tool & die maker in 1999, after 43 years. He cherished his time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren and always attended all of their extracurricular activities. He also enjoyed boating, water skiing and traveling to Las Vegas and Lake of the Ozarks. Wilbur was a quiet man of few words. The love for his family was unconditional. He was loved and cherished by his family and will be greatly missed. His favorite saying was "I am an angel from heaven here on vacation." Now that your vacation is over, time to go home.