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Joseph A. “Joe” Shankster, 78, of Edon, passed away Sunday evening at Genesis Healthcare, Bryan Center in Bryan. He was born January 3, 1938 in Montpelier to Clarence E. and Elma O. (Deisler) Shankster. On February 7, 1959 Joe married Barbara S. Steffes at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Blakeslee, Ohio and she survives. He honorably served his country in the United States Army.
Joe was a farmer and he also worked at GM Powertrain in Defiance for over 37 years retiring on May 1, 1997. He was a member of the Montpelier Moose Lodge and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Blakeslee. Joe was an avid Ohio State Fan and he loved woodworking, making all his family and friends special gifts. Joe was the Crew Chief and part owner of the Big Blue Crew mud bogging team.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara Shankster; son, Steve (Paula) Shankster of Butler, Indiana; son-in-law, Randy Handy of Edon; four grandchildren, Courtney and Chelsey Handy and Dave (Rainbow) Hankey and Daniel (Melissa) Hankey; five great grandchildren; one sister, Evelyn Fox of Bryan; and two brothers, Earl (Alice) Shankster and Willis Shankster, all of Montpelier.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Bobby Joe and Baby Boy Shankster, daughter, Sara Handy; brother, Wesley Shankster; and sister-in-law, Charleen Shankster.
Visitation for Joe will be on Thursday, May 26th from 2-8 pm at Thompson Funeral Home in Montpelier, with a scripture service at 7:30 pm. A funeral Mass will take place Friday, May 27th at 10:30 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Blakeslee with Father Daniel Borgelt to officiate. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Donations may be left in Joe’s memory to The American Heart Association, Williams County Cancer Assistance or St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.