Bernadine Louise (Knupp) Shank, 98, of Clymer, died Thursday, January 19, 2017, at Communities at Indian Haven. She was born on May 10, 1918 in Green Township. She was a daughter of the late Ralph Knupp and Pearl (Burkett) Knupp. She was married to the late Wade J. Shank in October of 1936 and together they shared 75 years of marriage before his passing on December 16, 2011.
Bernadine worked at Seasonal Industries in Indiana as a factory worker and at the former shoe factory in Rossiter. During WWII she made hand grenades for the US military at the grenade factory in Latrobe. She was also a homemaker and caregiver for her children and grandchildren. Bernadine was a member of the Clymer and Cambria County Ladies Fire Auxiliaries.
She loved to play card games and cook for her family. She was known by her neighbors as the “Neighborhood Nurse” as she always knew how to treat the scrapes and bruises of the local children. Bernadine also enjoyed traveling with her husband prior to his death in 2011.
She is survived by her children: Robert Shank & wife Bernice, Clymer; Lois Jenn Mayausky & husband Gene, Fredericksburgh, VA; and daughter-in-law Mary (Shank) Segrue, Sun City, FL. Five grandchildren: Bonnie Helmeid and husband Floyd, Clymer; Tammy Filgrove and husband Mark, Richmond, VA; Scott Mayausky, Stafford, VA; Greg Shank & wife Ramona, Hillville, VA; Amie Beatty and husband Doug, NC. As well as seven great grandchildren: Robert Helmeid & wife Morgan; Brooke Mayausky; Alex Mayausky; Jessica Shank; Evan Shank; Matthew Filgrove; Wade Beatty. She is also survived by her great-great grandchild Parker Helmeid.
Bernadine was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, her son Gerald Shank, as well as the following siblings: Ruth Knupp; Elaine Mumau; Aleathe Edwards; Arlene Knupp; and Eileen Horvath
Friends will be received on Monday, January 23rd from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00PM, at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home of Clymer. A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday at 11:00AM at Clymer United Methodist Church; Rev. Kendra Balliet officiating. Burial will be in the East Mahoning cemetery.
