Norman Shank, 82, of Walnut Creek, died peacefully on Monday, September 22, 2025 at Walnut Hills Retirement Community after a courageous, sustained struggle with diabetes and lymphoma. He was born June 7, 1943 in Harrisonburg, VA to the late Lester and Araminta (Lehman) Shank and married Lucille Mumaw, daughter of the late Stanford and Lavinia Mumaw of Dalton, OH, on June 13, 1965. She survives. He received his PhD in physical chemistry from The Ohio State University, and then worked as a college professor for 39 years at the University of Zambia and Messiah College, Grantham, PA. A scholarship will be established in Norm's memory for a student pursuing studies in physical chemistry at Messiah University. Norm thought deeply about life and the God he encountered through the natural world, in music and in scripture. His avid interests included ornithology, botany, astronomy, geology, and theology. His compassion extended around the world as he ministered to others through listening, giving, prayer, and service. He was a faithful husband, father, grandfather, and church member and loyal friend to many. In addition to his wife, Luci, he is survived by his children, Valerie Shank of Seattle, WA, Elaine Shank of Harrisonburg, VA and Leonard Shank of Dayton, VA; grandchildren, Sara Boyle, Nyle Shank, Eleanor Shank, and Owen Shank; and his four sisters, Esther (Jon) Bucher of Edmonton, Alberta, Mary (Ern) Swartz of Portland, OR, Miriam (Jesus) Cruz of Lancaster, PA and Ruthi (Ken) Blackman of Roanoke, VA. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother-in-law Lloyd Mumaw of Dalton, OH and brothers-in-law Glenn Hartzler, Roger Maiwurm of Orrville, OH. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at Berlin Mennonite Church with a time to greet and fellowship with family and friends. A private burial will take place in Martin's Mennonite Church Cemetery in Orrville, OH. Arrangements are being handled by Smith-Varns Funeral Home in Sugarcreek.
In honoring Norm's request, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either the Walking Path Tree Fund C/O Berlin Mennonite Church 4718 US 62, PO Box 217, Berlin, OH 44610 or Mennonite Disaster Services (MDS). Gifts in his memory can be made online at
https://mds.org/donate. Donors can check the "Make this gift in memory of someone" box to enter his name. Checks, payable to MDS, with "Norman Shank Memorial" on memo line can be mailed to: Mennonite Disaster Service 583 Airport Rd, Lititz, PA 1