Dolores “Aunt Mike” Ilene Shank, 91, of Chillicothe (previously Colorado and Texas) passed away Monday, March 22, at Heartis Village in Peoria.
She was born May 14, 1929, in Peoria, the daughter of Loretta Alexander. She married John Shank on Dec. 28, 1965. He preceded her in death on Dec. 18, 1997.
She is survived by one son, James Michael Shank, of Kansas; one granddaughter, Jessica Spar; one sister, Sarah Jones; 14 nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother; her daughter, Anna Arnold; and four sisters, Darlene Nelson, Nancy Alexander, Linda Bennett and Sue Carver.
As a young girl, she helped on the family farm, later working in the food and retail industries, before moving to Colorado and meeting her husband. They moved to Texas for nearly 30 years before retiring and moving back to Colorado. She proudly served in the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Texas, Colorado and Illinois.
Thirteen years after the passing of her husband, she moved back to Illinois to spend time with her family, living with her niece, Cathy (Grover) Aronhalt, and great-nephew, Brandon. While in Chillicothe, she volunteered at the Heritage Health Nursing Home.
She was a talented painter and quilt maker. She enjoyed traveling, Bingo and laughing with friends and family.
Aunt Mike always said she was full of ---- and vinegar and that is how we will always remember her.
A visitation was held on Friday, March 26, at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe. Aunt Mike will then be laid to rest in Hill Top Cemetery in Pagosa Springs, Colo. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made through www.weberhurdfuneralhome.com.
