Wilbert Ray Shenk

1935 - 2021

Wilbert Ray Shenk, 86, a resident of Greencroft, died Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at home surrounded by his family.

Wilbert attended high school in Sheridan, Oregon. He attended Hesston College from 1951 to 1953 where he met his future wife. Then he attended and graduated from Goshen College in 1955.

He worked for the Mennonite Church in various capacities, first as a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) worker in Indonesia from 1955 to 1959. Following this he worked as an administrator for MCC from 1963 to 1965. From 1965 to 1990 he worked as an administrator for the Mennonite Board of Missions (now MMN, Mennonite Mission Network). During this time, he worked on and obtained a doctoral degree from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1978. Following his time at MBM, Wilbert taught at AMBS in Elkhart from 1990 to 1995 and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, from 1995 to 2005. Even in his retirement he stayed active by continuing teaching short courses, mentoring doctoral students and writing.

Wilbert was born on Jan. 16, 1935, near Sheridan, Oregon. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Juanita G. Shenk, and his three children, Suzanne Morris, Maria Shenk and Thomas Shenk, five granddaughters, and six great-grandchildren.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:45 a.m. till 10:45 a.m. on Saturday July 17, at the Belmont Mennonite Church, 925 Oxford St., Elkhart, Indiana. The celebration of life service will follow the visitation and starts at 11 a.m. Pastor Phil Schmidt along with Amanda Yoder will preside. Cremation will take place and inurnment will be at a later date in the church columbarium. Elkhart Cremation Services is entrusted with his care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Mennonite Mission Network or Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.