Ezra Shenk

A celebration of life for Ezra W. Shenk 95, of Wellman, will be held Wednesday, April 27, 2011 10:30AM at the Wellman Mennonite Church with Pastor Robert Hartzler officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 26 from 2-7PM at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona where the family will greet friends from 2-3 and 6-7PM.   A memorial fund has been established for Heralds of Hope.

Ezra William Shenk was born July 10, 1915 the son of Abram and Malinda (Good) Shenk.  He was born near Delphos, Ohio.  Due to his father's failing health, the family moved to the Harrisonburg, Virginia area.  At the age of nine, Ezra became caregiver for his father who at that time had become an invalid.  He had much responsibility at an early age.  He completed high school, often working late on the farm and rising early to be able to do so.  He then attended college and graduated from Goshen College in 1938 with a double major in History and English.  Later he earned a Master's degree in Elementary Education.

On September 14, 1941 he married Carrie Helena Swartzendruber.  In 1948 the Daytonville Mennonite Church was founded.  Here is where Ezra was ordained as minister on Ascension Day of 1951.  About this time a number of elderly folk expressed their concern to Ezra as to where they would go when they became sick.  As a result Ezra wanted to build a "house" for them.  The "house" eventually grew into Shenk Nursing Home.  It was later sold and is now Parkview Manor.

On December 22, 1979, Ezra married Sara Marie Kauffman at the Sandy Hill Mennonite Church near Coatesville, PA.

During the last days of Ezra's life he was a patient at Parkview Manor where he received loving care.  He knew many of the workers by name or by the town they were from.  One of the workers remarked "Ezra was never rude and was always appreciative of what was done for him."

Survivors include his wife Sara of Wellman, two nephews, Victor (Marie) Stoltzfus of Goshen, Indiana, Ernest (Linda) Stoltzfus of Kent, Washington and one niece, Viginia Byler Stoltzfus of Sea-Tac, Washington.

Preceding Ezra in death were his parents, his first wife, Carrie, four sisters and one brother.