Christopher Dennis Shunk

Christopher Shunk Obituary

Name: Funeral Mass for Christopher Dennis Shunk
Start: 2025-08-30T11:00:00.000Z
Location: Holy Redeemer Catholic Church

Christopher Dennis Shunk died on July 10, 2025 in Olney, Maryland. He was 74 years old, was born in Washington, DC, and spent over 30 years in government service- the majority of his career spent serving the U.S. Senate Rules & Administration Committee.

Chris is survived by his daughter Kelly (Travis), son Christopher (Jennifer), and son Bobby; grandsons Bennett, Jackson, Bodhi, and granddaughter Reagan. Chris was preceded in death by his parents James and Claire Shunk, his brother James, and his sister Mary Ellen.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 30 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Kensington, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jill's House (www.jillshouse.org), a charity he loved and was close to his heart because of his grandson Bennett.

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

Published by The Washington Post on Aug. 2, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Shunk

4 Entries

Mary Jones

October 9, 2025

I hope the Shunk family knows the profound impact Chris had on the Senate. By continually sharing his institutional knowledge, incredible memory and accurate calculations with the Rules Committee, he helped guide bipartisan agreements. He always had a smile, no matter the time constraints or pressure. He prepared both sides with the necessary tools to find common ground. Every time we passed a committee funding resolution, he would shake my hand and say, we need to cherish these accomplishments; they don´t come often, but when they do, we need to take a moment and appreciate them. He was a true team player, a valuable friend and a man who loved his family dearly and spoke of them often. He will be truly missed. I am a better person for having known him. Thank you to his family for sharing him with us.
Mary S. Jones, former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Senate, former Republican Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules & Administration

Daniel T Burke

August 22, 2025

Chris was a great friend since 1st Grade at Mount Calvary Catholic School. We shared good times in school and, later in life, golfing, playing cards, and attending sport events. Enjoyed his social enthusiasm.

Carole Blessington

August 19, 2025

To the Shunk and Speck Families: I was so sorry to read the death notice of Chris Shunk in the Washington Post. Chris and I were colleagues on the staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration for 30 years. He was the committee "numbers cruncher" skilled at working with his staff on proposed biennial budgets submitted by all the Senate committees and also auditing the vouchers of expenditures of the Senate personal and committee offices. He also served on committees and then as a board member of the United States Senate Federal Credit from the 1980s. I remember that Chris loved the musical Les Miz and attended many live performances. On the job, Chris was diligent, fair-minded and professional. As a colleague, he was friendly, kind, courteous, had a good sense of humor, and was respected and well-liked by Senate staff members. He was an all-around good guy. May Chris rest in peace. Carole Blessington

Bobby Biddix

August 6, 2025

My dear friend. For some reason you popped into my mind a couple of days ago. I thought of the last time that we saw each other in a restaurant in Reston, VA. Then, ironically, my daughter sent me a copy of the obituary the next day. I was not aware of your illness, nor of your passing. We shared some good times together when we were both members of the Church of Christ in Oxon Hill, MD. I especially remember when we went together to Abilene, Texas in the early 70´s for graduate studies at Abilene Christian College (now University). You were there 2 years for an MRE, and I stayed another 2 years for an additional MDiv. I remember the old time-worn house near the campus that I bought and the small garage-turned-into-a house that you rented from me. We lost contact from each other after that as you served in one church, and I served in another until we met in Reston. You have fought the good fight and are now at the feet of Jesus. Please tell Him "Hello" for me, and that I hope to be at His feet and also to be reunited with you after my final earthly hour. God bless you, my friend. I love you. Bobby

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