09/24/2014

Clara J. (Mercer) Shank

Wife of Robert L. Shank Sr.

  Clara J. (Mercer) Shank, 78, of Perrysburg, Ohio, died peacefully Wednesday, September 24, 2014, at The Manor in Perrysburg, Ohio. She was a caring, dedicated, compassionate and loyal individual; a lifelong learner and teacher who gave great advice and guidance.  She was the best wife, mother, grandmother and friend we could have ever hoped to have.

   Clara was born on July 8, 1936, in Toledo, Ohio, to William Earl Mercer, O.D., and Ethel Marie (Sanders) Mercer. She graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in 1954 and the University of Toledo in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She worked with her father at The Optical Shop in Lasalle’s Department Store following graduation until she married Robert L. Shank on September 10, 1960. She and her husband Robert purchased the Witzler Funeral Home on August 1, 1964, and she became a licensed funeral director in 1967. She served the business in many capacities, including working calling hours and funerals, making arrangements, preparing meals, answering telephones, and supporting families in a myriad of ways. She did this while raising a family of three children in the apartment above the funeral home. During her life, she was an accomplished pianist and writer whose greatest joy was being with her children and grandchildren. She also loved taking care of her own and family members’ dogs.  Her passion for water was evident throughout her life and in later years, her favorite place to be was at the lake house in Port Clinton.  Her sense of humor was unequaled and a hallmark of her courageous and selfless approach to life.

   Surviving are her husband Robert L. Shank; children Tamara Shank Harden, Karen Shank Sliter, DVM (David), and Robert L. Shank, Jr. (Tonya); grandchildren Morgan M. Shank, Robert L. Shank III, Katrina L. Sliter, Jessica J. Sliter, Jacqueline M. Sliter, and Stephanie K. Sliter; sister-in-law Susan Mercer; aunt Virginia Hamilton; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents William Earl Mercer, Ethel Marie (Sanders) Mercer, brother William Earl Mercer, Jr. and son-in-law Robert E. Harden, Jr.

   Friends will be received at the Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 East South Boundary, Perrysburg, Ohio (419-874-3133) from 2-8 pm Saturday, September 27, 2014. Funeral services will be led by Pastor Timothy P. Philabaum and Pastor Thomas A. Wolfe on Sunday, September 28, 2014, at 2 pm at Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 East Indiana Avenue, Perrysburg, where friends may visit after 1 pm. Burial will be at Fort Meigs Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to the Zoar Lutheran Church Organ Fund, Wood County Humane Society or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.  Condolences to the family may be made by visiting www.witzlershank.com.

The family very much appreciates the care and kindness of the staff at The Manor of Perrysburg and Hospice of Northwest Ohio.