Tom Shanks
Thomas John Shanks, 88, of Ludington, passed away Saturday, March 21, 2026, surrounded by his family.
He was born Jan. 6, 1938, in Chicago, the son of John and Enes (Gardella) Shanks. He was the oldest of five children and the only boy. After a few years in Chicago, the family moved to Fountain, where summers were spent working on the family farm near Round Lake and riding bikes around town.
Tom graduated from Custer High School (now Mason County Eastern) in 1955. He went on to work at the Foliage Company (now FloraCraft) following graduation. Shortly after, he began working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and later for Dow Chemical, where he retired in 1997.
One evening in 1965, at the Rendezvous restaurant in Walhalla, he met his late wife, Nedra Smith. They were married March 22, 1966, and began their life together in Ludington. Following Tom’s retirement, they became snowbirds, spending winters in Arizona. It became their home away from home until Nedra’s passing in 2014, after which Tom moved there full time. He spent most of his time in Apache Junction, but also enjoyed the mountains in Show Low and, most recently, Portland, Oregon, to escape the Arizona heat.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Sherri (Tim) Oleniczak, who spent the last nine months by her father’s side after he moved back to Ludington in June 2025. He is also survived by grandchildren Shelby (Ase) Personette, Rylie Oleniczak, Stephanie (Tom) LaPan, and Nathan Davis; great-grandchildren Carter and Charlee Personette, and Kristie and Austin Jensen; sisters Kathleen Lehman, Lois (Rich) Lake, and Mary Jo Stulz; brothers-in-law Mike (Carol) Smith and Terry (Peggy) Smith; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Tom enjoyed many outings and visits with Terry and Peggy after returning to Ludington, and they visited him regularly. He is also survived by his special friend and companion of the past eight years, Beverly Robinson of Arizona and Oregon. Together, they traveled to Italy, enjoyed an Alaskan cruise and other tropical cruises — just a few of the many experiences they shared.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Nedra; his parents; his daughter, Robin Hilliard; his sister, Patricia Keson; his sister-in-law, Suzanne (Duane) Smith; his sister-in-law, Karol Kay (Roger) Schott; and his great-granddaughter, Skylar Jensen.
Per Tom’s wishes, there will be no services at this time. A private burial will take place at a later date at Pere Marquette Catholic Cemetery in Ludington.
Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
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