Karan Joan Shonk

Karan Joan Shonk, 78, of Robinson, IL, died at 1:55 p.m. on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 along with her daughter, Jennifer “Jenny” Tracy, the result of a car accident. Joan was born on November 23, 1939 in rural Montgomery township, IL, the daughter of Graydon Brashear & Goldie (Climer) Brashear, both of whom preceded her in death. Her day of birth was on Thanksgiving day and her father’s 43rd birthday. She was also preceded in death by her grandson, Zane Tracy; and by her siblings, Russell, Tom, Bill, John, Virginia, Ruth, and Dwight (in infancy). She married Jacob “Jake” Shonk on January 1, 1961, and they shared nearly 57 years together before her passing. She is also survived by her son & daughter-in-law, Jason & Loni Shonk (Lancaster, PA); by her son-in-law, John “Marty” Tracy (Robinson, IL); by her grandchildren, Alisha & Tony Stephens, Marsha & Curt Bahr, Vanessa Shonk, Timothy Shonk, Cade Tracy, and Hannah Tracy; by her great-grandchildren, Laura Bahr, Jailyn Stephens, Khloe Stephens, and Sydnee Stephens; by her brother & sister-in-law, Jim & Mercedes Brashear (La Porte, IN); by her sisters-in-law, Doris Brashear, Juanita Brashear, and Mary Brashear; by her brother-in-law, Martin Shonk; as well as several nieces and nephews. Joan grew up in the rural Grand Prairie area and attended Lone Elm and Porterville Grade Schools, 1 year at Robinson High School and 3 years at Palestine High School. Always a high achiever, Joan graduated from Palestine High School in 1956 at the age of 16, working at Allen Sanitarium for two years before furthering her education in the nursing program at Indiana State and graduating in 1961. Immediately after graduation, Joan was hired at Crawford Memorial Hospital, where she spent time in the OB Department when her children were young and later as the first head nurse and surgical supervisor in the Surgical Department before retiring after 41 years of service. Away from work, she wasn’t one to let dust settle. Joan was heavily involved at the Porterville Congregational Christian Church, where she served as both clerk and deaconess. She and Jake shared an affinity for travel, and over the years, they visited Hawaii, Alaska, Cancun, and the Gulf Shores, just to name a few. Later on in life, they loved watching their grandchildren participate in their various activities, but Joan in particular was fond of watching their sporting events. But more than sports or travel, Joan simply loved her family. Through the years, she consistently put her family above herself, and gave them all the love and care she had to give. Joan was more than just a wife, mother and grandmother, but a matriarch, friend, and champion as well. A dual visitation alongside her daughter Jenny will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday January 4, 2018 at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 5th at the Porterville Congregational Christian Church with Pastor Jerry McDaniel officiating the service. Burial will follow at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that memorials be made to the “Jenny Tracy Memorial Fund” to help meet the needs of Joan’s beloved grandchildren. Envelopes will be available at both the funeral home and church.