Merna Shank

Merna Ruth Brenneman Shank, 96, died September 8 at her home, after a period of declining health.

She was born April 5, 1930, to Aldine and Sallie Brenneman, in the house next door to where she lived now.

On July 19, 1956, she married Sanford L. Shank, who died in 1990. She is survived by her daughter Crystal Shank of Harrisonburg, her son Kevin Shank and his wife Bethany of Union Springs, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Marlin Shank and his wife Jennifer and two children, Shaphan Shank and his wife Angelina and one child, Darren, Allen, Cheryl, and Adrian Shank. She is also survived by a sister-in-law Miriam Shenk and her husband Robert (Bob).

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by a son Sterling Shank and his wife Miriam Breneman Shank Coblentz, and by a sister Rosalyn Brenneman Strubhar and her husband Roy.

She was a member of the Rawley Springs Mennonite Church, where her husband had been a pastor.

Merna worked together with Sanford in his mission to provide Christian literature and school curriculum. They owned and operated Park View Press, and were among the founders of Christian Light Publications in 1969. After Sanford’s death, Merna continued to work for Christian Light until shortly before her death. She was secretary for the Board until 2015.

Merna graduated from Eastern Mennonite School and College in 1946 and 1950, then taught business education classes in their high school for seven years.

The funeral will be at the Pike Mennonite Church at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 14, with burial following in the church cemetery. To listen to the service by phone, call 540-345-8624 and then enter ID: 196 170 196#.

The body will be taken from the McMullen Funeral Home to the Shank home at 1066 Chicago Avenue, Harrisonburg, for a viewing from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, September 13.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christian Light Publications, PO Box 1212, Harrisonburg, Va. 22803