Barb Shankel

Barbara Jean (Northrup) Shankel, age 93, of Breckenridge, passed away on Monday, November 3, 2025.
Barbara was born near Breckenridge, Michigan to Roy Northrup and Zilah (Weaver) Northrup-Zatik on April 28, 1932. She was raised by her mother surrounded by many aunts and uncles and grandparents!
Barbara married Duane Carl Shankel on September 17, 1948.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, brother in-law William "Bill" Rhodes and sister Beverly (Northrup) Rhodes, and husband Duane Carl Shankel.
She is succeeded by her children, Roy Duane and Linda Shankel, Daniel Lynn and Rita Shankel, Raymond Albert and Susan Shankel and Maryann Marie and John Balgavy along with her half Sister Connie Northrup, and half brothers, Thomas and Michelle Northrup and Dennis and Stacy Northrup.
Grandchildren: Alan Roy (Kellie) Shankel, Amy Rebecca (Al) Foster, Autumn Ruth (Matthew) Emmott, Craig Allen (Ann) Kimmel, James Allen (Holly) Kimmel, Jason (Cathy) Shankel, Teresa (Joe) Parent, Daniel Shankel, Rebecca Jillene (Dave) Shankel, Michelle Sue (Brian) Zahn, Heather Rae (Jody) Shankel, J. J. ( Rose) Cermak, Beth and Anthony Glazier, Jordan Cermak, Lindsey (Korey) Cermak, Trevor John and Ashlee Balgavy, Jason and Julie Balgavy.
Barb also leaves 38 great grandchildren and 24 great-great grand children!
Duane and Barb farmed with A.P. and Florence Shankel for a couple of years, then moved to Pleasant Valley north of St. Louis, Michigan until 1964 when they moved to a farm they bought from her Aunt Eva and Uncle Lyle Bartrem. They started trucking grain and other products for the B&W Co-op of Breckenridge, Mi along with farming. In the early 70's they sold the farm and worked the trucking business, a few years later they bought the Emma and Howards Bar and Restaurant in Breckenridge and re-named it The Other Place! Barb and her "crew" made wonderful lunch specials and of course served food until late in the evening! The Other Place was usually hopping on Friday nights as they featured The Pine River Valley Boys playing fantastic "Blue Grass" Music.
Barb loved her children and grandchildren very much, she loved all sorts of crafts, especially painting and drawing. She played the organ for self-entertainment, crocheted, embroidered and she also quilted! She was a wonderful cook, and she got lots of practice by feeding her husband and 4 kids, plus thrashing, tiling and bailing crews when those activities happened! She loved music and was a great Two-Step and Polka dancer, as well!
She was a past member of the "Old" United Methodist Church of Breckenridge, past member of the Eastern Stars; she helped teach painting while in Florida at several Mobile Home Parks, made friends in Houghton Lake where they had summer places for many years and in Florida where they wintered for around 50 years! Her life was full and busy! She and dad enjoyed old tractor shows and even went to a few National Red Power Tractor shows in various states!
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 11 am at the Lux and Whiting Funeral Chapel, Breckenridge with Pastor Paul Clark officiating. Interment will follow in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Breckenridge. Visitation will be held Sunday from 3 to 7 pm at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Breckenridge American Legion Auxiliary, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fowler or Heartland Hospice in Mt. Pleasant. To view Barb's obituary or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.luxfuneralhomes.com.