Robert ‘Bob’ Eugene Shanks, Sr., 72, of Taylorville, IL passed away at 3:38 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2023, at his home, with family by his side.
Bob was born December 24, 1950, in Rolla, MO. He is the son of Lewis and Mary (Earney) Shanks. He graduated from Rolla High School and went on to proudly serve our country in the United States Army. Bob married DeeAnne Whitehead on January 6, 1982, in Taylorville, IL. and they enjoyed over 41 years of marriage together.
He was an Army man through and through. Bob loved his country and was proud of his service to our country. After being honorably discharged, he worked for multiple grain bin companies. The first being Baughman Oster for 11 years, then Illini metals for 4 years, Precision Products, and retired from ATY. Bob was a member of the Pentecostal church in Rolla, Missouri, the Taylorville VFW Post #4495, as a life-time member, the Taylorville Eagles Club, and the American Legion Post #73 of Taylorville. He had varied hobbies such as hunting and fishing, woodworking, gardening, feeding the squirrels and birds, playing in a pool league, and playing in many pool tournaments. He had a profound love for all animals, especially his two surviving yorkies. He was a hardworking, loving, give you the shirt off his back kind of man. He took pride in his family and loved them and his country unconditionally.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Mary; and his siblings, David and Rita; paternal siblings, James, Leroy, John, Harold, Pete, Raymond, Rev. George, Sherman, Bernice, Velma, Josephine, and Polly; maternal siblings, Lonnie, Bill, Jim, Sis, Alice, and Marty; and his loving Yorkie companions, Lucy and Princess.
Bob is survived by his wife, DeeAnne Shanks of Taylorville; his children, Robert E. (Amy) Shanks, Jr. of Morrisonville, Jeffery L. (companion, Jackie) Shanks, of Kincaid, Angela L. Peters of Taylorville, and Tara K. (Jeff) Graham of Stonington; grandchildren, Danielle, Tiffani, Jaden, Jeffrey (Angie), Justin (Dani), Carly, Garret; great grandchildren, Aleece, Fletcher, Fhallen, Annjela, Willow, Naudia, Kera, Dyllan, Jeffrey III, Gunnar, Emi; siblings, Louie (Tina) Shanks of Taylorville, Frank (Monkol) Shanks of Albuquerque, NM, and Rosie Reed of Rolla, MO.
Visitation: the family will receive guests from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Shafer-Perfetti and Assalley Funeral Home, 202 W. Franklin St., Taylorville, IL 62568.
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at the funeral home with Rev. Chad Foster Officiating.
Interment with military honors will follow the funeral service at Ponting Cemetery in Stonington.
Memorial contributions may be made to: DeeAnne Shanks, c/o Shafer-Perfetti and Assalley Funeral Home, 202 W. Franklin St., Taylorville, IL 62568.
Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories of Bob, or to offer condolences to his family.
