James Shonk

James Albert Shonk, age 92, of Beach City passed away in Aultman Hospital at Canton on Monday, January 23, 2023 after a period of declining health.

Jim was born in Trail, Ohio, on October 13, 1930, to Lee and Mary (Kolp) Shonk.  

 
Jim was a “Jack of All Trades” always working on cars and building things.  He was a passionate Ford enthusiast.  In his younger years he raced a 1955 Ford Fairlane on the quarter mile dirt track in Millersburg, Ohio.  Racing stayed in his blood and he was a NASCAR fan always cheering for the Ford drivers.  Along with NASCAR he loved to cheer on the Cleveland Indians with his wife.  He retired from Massillon Container after 37 years of service.  In Jim’s retirement he loved leaf peeping in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.  Watching the birds and squirrels.  He also loved camping with Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia (Ferrell) Shonk whom he married on May 27, 1978; daughters, Maudie (Vance) Wiles of Strasburg, Jayne (Dan) Young of Wooster, Darlene (Mark) Baranauskas of Dundee and Dora Umstead of Millersburg; grandchildren, Travis Wiles, Tad Wiles, McKenzie Wiles, John Lane, Samantha Mosser, Jason Kiem, Carrie Loveday, Jackie Umstead and Lori Miller; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

The family will greet friends on Friday, January 27, 2023 in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover from 10 -11 AM.  A service celebrating Jim’s life will begin at 11:00 AM with Pastor Jon Long officiating.  Burial will follow at Greenmont Union Cemetery in Freeport, Ohio.

The family wishes to thank all the nurses and staff of Aultman 5th Floor for the excellent care that they provided to Jim.