Lester Lee Shankle, age 88, passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 7, 2026. A man of unwavering faith, quiet strength, remarkable intelligence, and humble generosity, Lester leaves behind a legacy of love, service, craftsmanship, and devotion to family.

Lester was born on January 25, 1938, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and spent his childhood in the Crosby-Deerwood area, where he grew up on a farm. Those early years instilled in him a lifelong work ethic, resourcefulness, and appreciation for nature. He later made his home in the South Bend-Mishawaka area, where he and his family built a life filled with love, faith, and countless memories.

Lester shared a beautiful love story with his wife of 66 years, Betty J. Shankle. Betty was truly the love of his life. Lester often recalled the day he first saw her in the high school parking lot and immediately knew she was the one he would marry. They became high school sweethearts and were married shortly after Betty graduated. Together they built a marriage marked by unwavering commitment, and enduring love.

A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, Lester lived his faith quietly but intentionally. He believed that serving others was one of the greatest expressions of love. Whether volunteering at his church, Hope Rescue Mission, the Food Bank, or helping neighbors in need, he gave freely of his time and talents without ever seeking recognition. One summer, he quietly scraped and painted an elderly neighbor's home simply because they needed help. He purchased a home for his mother to ensure she was cared for. If complimented for his work or generosity, he would often redirect the credit to someone else. Humility was simply who he was.

Lester possessed an extraordinary mind. Naturally analytical and endlessly seeking knowledge, he graduated from Indiana University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. He spent 41 years at Miles Laboratories, later Bayer, where he enjoyed a career as an analytical chemist. He genuinely loved using his mind for complex issues, learning, and using his intellect each day. He retired in 2002 after a career defined by dedication and excellence.

His creativity was equally remarkable. Lester was an exceptional woodworker whose craftsmanship reflected patience, precision, and artistry. Much of his work was designed by him—from building an addition onto the family home to creating custom kitchen cabinets, bedroom furniture, and countless heirloom pieces that will be treasured for generations. He used retirement as another opportunity to learn and grow. He taught

himself to paint, learned to play the piano, and computer-aided design (CAD), which he then built a pergola from his design.

Lester found joy in the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, camping, hiking, and traveling. He and Betty took some memorable trips on his motorcycle. Family camping vacations became treasured memories, from trips to the Grand Canyon to one memorable vacation spent outrunning a hurricane along the East Coast. Every first morning of camping meant Dad's famous pancakes over the fire.

Another fond memory was our backyard skating rink. Many winters, he transformed the family's backyard into an ice-skating rink where his daughters and neighborhood children gathered to skate for hours. His love was rarely expressed overtly, but in faithful provision, steady presence, and acts of service. He had a quiet strength.

Lester was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty J. Shankle; his parents, John and Vivian Shankle; and his son-in-law, Rich Grider.

He is lovingly remembered by his four daughters: Pam Shankle, Amy Burmeister, Linda McCoy, and Cindy Grider.

He is also survived by his four granddaughters: Sheilla Marshall; Courtney Salazar and her children, Luis Salazar and Tim Bailey; Megan Smith and her husband, Austin Smith, along with their sons, Liam Smith and Cooper Smith; and Jenica McCoy.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Tonya Kujawski, and Tracy Nelson for the loving care and they provided Lester.

Although Lester accomplished much during his lifetime, those who knew him best will remember him not for the things he built with wood, but for the life he built with faith, integrity, humility, and love. His hands created beautiful things, his mind solved complex problems, and his heart pointed always toward Christ.

His family finds comfort in knowing he has now been reunited with the love of his life, Betty, and has heard the words every faithful servant longs to hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant." His example will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.

His legacy lives on in every cabinet he crafted, every brushstroke he painted, every lesson he quietly taught, every act of generosity he performed, and in the family who will forever carry his values forward.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday August 11 at Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church, 929 Milton Street, South Bend, Indiana, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with funeral services

beginning at 12:00 p.m. A graveside service will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola, Indiana.