Our beloved son, brother, and friend peacefully passed away on March 23, 2017 at the age of 26. He was so unique, incredibly loved, and a great teacher to us all.

Among his many accomplishments, he graduated from Providence Day School and Duke University. His greatest achievement was touching the lives of all people he met in spite of the odds.

He is survived by his mother, Isabel Skovgaard Shankle, his father, Lance Shankle, his sisters, Carleen and Elisa Shankle and numerous extended family and friends.

A private committal will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. A memorial service to celebrate Orfeus's life will be held at St. Luke's Missionary Baptist Church, 1600 Norris Ave., Charlotte at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 1, 2017. A visitation with the family will be held immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. www.hazeldenbettyford.org/donate.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Services, 1321 Berkeley Ave Charlotte NC 28204. Online condolences at www.kennethpoeservices.com Phone: 704 641-7606

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charlotte Observer on Mar. 26, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Orfeus Shankle

23 Entries

Viveka Wahlstedt

March 20, 2021

As a friend of Isabel, I knew him from the time he was a baby.
When I think of him it is always his smile I think of. We visited them often and the Shankle family also visited us in Charlotte. When leaving our house, he usually stood still beside the counter - I knew what he wanted - he loved grapes. I asked him if he wanted some grapes on the way home - he nodded every time and gave me his big wonderful smile. He was only 4 or so, active and fun - loving, always busy and with a smile on his face.
I was there when he graduated from Duke University, and we were all so proud of him, he smiled his lovely smile, and it was same smile I remembered for so many years. We miss you so much!!!

Brett Patterson

March 8, 2018

Wow can't believe it's almost been a year. Still think of you sometimes O. That friendly smile and quick wit were always your trademarks. Summer days were a blast. Miss you and know you're doing better while watching down. RIP

The Ferrette family of Providence Day

March 5, 2018

Thinking of you as the one year anniversary of Orfeus' passing nears. Continue to hold on to God's unchanging hands. Peace and love always.

Stephanie Kababe

May 1, 2017

I am so very sorry for your loss. I know how much he loved all of you. From the first moment I met him and he smiled that smile, I was immediately taken with his warmth and charisma. He was unlike anyone I had ever met and he will always have a special place in my heart. My prayers are with you all.

Pastor Anthony Ledbetter

April 8, 2017

You all are in my prayers

Zenobia Marsha

April 6, 2017

We are so deeply saddened by your loss. We will remember your family in our prayers. Orfeus spirit and the joy that he brought to many will not be forgotten. -Zenobia and Marsha

Mike Diggs

April 2, 2017

Orfeus will always be remereded. Sending my love and prayers to the Shankle Family

Rev Broce and E'laine Sowell

March 31, 2017

Sending love and prayers to the Shankle family.His love and smile was so breath taking.

Sue Zarrabzadeh

March 31, 2017

Dear Shankle Family:
Peace, Love, and Light

Harry & Blonnie Livingston

March 29, 2017

Isabel we are sadden by the loss of your son. We hope time and good memories will help you and family through this trying time. You are forever in our prayers

March 29, 2017

Orfeus had that rare and special gift of sharing his love of life and innate kindness with everyone he met. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you, and I hope treasured memories will comfort you as you mend and mourn. Phyllis Gill

Brittany Patton

March 29, 2017

Such a beautiful person, inside and out. He will be greatly missed and forever loved... you all are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.

March 29, 2017

Orfeus could light up the room with a smile. I am so sorry for your loss of a son, brother, and a friend to all. He will be missed! Barbara Fricke

Linda Mason

March 28, 2017

Isabel, My heart goes out to you and your family.
With love

Selin Soyak

March 27, 2017

Isabel, Carleen & Elisa & family:
I am so heartbroken to hear about Orfeus's passing and know that there are no words to take away your pain. I do hope that the wonderful memories you have of him will help provide strength during this difficult time. I never had the pleasure of meeting him but knowing your family, he was as special as all of you are.
Lots of love, Selin

March 27, 2017

We are so incredibly saddened by this news, Isabel. What a tragic loss of such a bright, intellegent and beautiful young man. You and all of your family are very much in our hearts right now.
With much love from Lucca,
John and Karen

Filiz Soyak

March 27, 2017

Dearest Isabel, Carleen, Elisa,
We are so very deeply saddened to hear about Orfeus's passing. We are holding you all close in our hearts and sending you so much love. May you find strength in one another, your friends and family, and know that a community near and far is here for you. All our love, Filiz, Gregg and Suvi

Viveka Wahlstedt

March 26, 2017

I will always remember your wonderful smile and to us who are from your Scandinavian heritage, that your mother Isabel, who loved you so much, called you "Min lille Gubbe"

March 26, 2017

Sending prayers and love to you Isabel and your family.

Mona and Necip Soyak

March 26, 2017

Oh Isabel, we are grieving with you and your family.......What a tragedy to lose such a sweet young man. Please know that your whole family is in our thoughts and prayers right now.

summer whitley

March 26, 2017

Your family is in my prayers.

Dana Harper

March 25, 2017

So terribly saddened by Orfeus's passing. He was such a good friend to Taylor. I truly enjoyed spending time with him when he would come by Taylor's house last year. One of my favorite memories was of the day he told me about his childhood memories of fishing with his Dad.
You are in my thoughts, and he is in my heart.

Dionne Brown Ferrette

March 25, 2017

Our hearts and prayers are with your family during this time of profound loss. Orfeus' warm smile and presence will always be felt. We watched him grow up at Providence Day. We continued to keep him in our thoughts and cheer him on as he forged ahead in life. We want your family to know the indelible mark he left in our hearts. Your loss is our family's loss as well! - The Ferrette Family of Providence Day School (Tiffany '11, Lexi '13, CeCe '15, I.J. '17)

Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results