Gladys M. Shank (Baer) was born on June 25, 1933 in Hagerstown, MD and died on October 4th, 2024 in Harrisonburg, Virginia at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. Gladys was the eldest daughter of Alvey and Elizabeth Baer and grew up in Maugansville, MD. When she was 19 years old, she met Raymond Shank who she married on January, 1st 1954. Raymond and Gladys enjoyed 70 years of marriage together. Gladys is survived by her sisters, Marie Davis and Esther Mast, and brother David Baer. She was preceded in death by her brother Harold Baer. She is also survived by her husband, Raymond Shank, her children Joy Coakley (Bob) of Harrisonburg, VA, Don Shank (Brenda) of Harrisonburg, VA, Larry Shank (Wendy) of Matthews, NC, Ken Shank (Cheryl) of West Liberty, OH, and Jeff Shank (Julie) of Harrisonburg, VA. Gladys was grandmother to 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Gladys Shank was mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to a large clan. Family was the most important thing for Gladys, and she dedicated her life first and foremost to raising her children and being a mother. In big and small ways, through time spent at home, Gladys taught her children valuable life lessons and passed on her Christian faith to them. Gladys regularly opened her home to all. Her open table may have included someone in need, her children’s friends, or a family from church coming over for a Sunday meal. In doing so, she taught her children about hospitality, generosity and selflessness, serving others as Jesus taught his disciples to serve. She relished time spent together with her extended family during summer reunions at Sparkling Springs or over the holidays playing games like Rummikub, Sequence or Zilch.

During her life, Gladys worked at several occupations. They included selling Stanley Home Products, in-home child day care, kitchen work at Pleasant View Harrison House and Eastern Mennonite High School, and manager of the Ice Cream Factory. She was also very committed to her church. Gladys was a member of Lindale Mennonite Church for over 50 years and served with her husband as Deacon/Deaconess for 22 years. Her pleasant personality was contagious to everyone she met.

Gladys Shank enjoyed a long, full life spent alongside her faithful husband, Raymond. Even though Gladys is now gone from this Earth, her memory, values, and faith will live on in the family she cherished.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11am, Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Lindale Mennonite Church, 6255 Jesse Bennett Way, Linville, VA. The family will receive friends and family following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gladys’ memory are suggested to Mennonite Disaster Service designated for victims of recent flooding due to hurricane Helene. https://mds.org

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com

McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.