Richard (dick) L. Shonk

Richard L. (Dick) Shonk, 87, a longtime resident of New Philadelphia, died peacefully in his home following a lengthy illness on Monday, January 9, 2006 with his family by his side.Born in New Philadelphia, Ohio, he was the son of the late George W. and Nellie (Wills) Shonk and was a member of the First Baptist Church in New Philadelphia.Richard will be remembered by his family and friends as having been a dedicated and loving husband and father, a comedian and an outstanding woodworker.Following his graduation from New Philadelphia High School in 1938, he served five years in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of Technical Sergeant in the Army Engineers. During his enlistment, he spent three years in the Panama Canal Zone and two years in France, Germany and England as an aerial photogrammetist.After his discharge from the Army, Richard was appointed city auditor of New Philadelphia. He also served as clerk of council, clerk of the park board and was on the airport commission, later leaving to take a position with Warner and Swasey in the accounting department.Richard was an aviation enthusiast, earning his pilot’s license at Harry Clever airport. He also instructed fencing lessons at the YMCA in Dover and held many honors won in various fencing competitions both here and while stationed in Panama. He enjoyed the sport of sailing, having built two of his boats.While building his own home, he acquired a skill and desire to do construction work. He worked for Capital School Equipment from which he later retired as a foreman installing cabinets and fixtures in schools and hospitals throughout Ohio.Richard’s friendly personality and great sense of humor were his trademarks and he was very well known for his comical “Do It Yourself Handyman” presentation, which he performed for countless groups through the years all over the state of Ohio.He was a life member of the New Philadelphia VFW Post #1445, Masonic Lodge #59, F. & A.M. and the Elks Lodge # 510 and served as trustee for the Dover Historical Society for several years. His last and most rewarding project during retirement was assisting in the remodeling of the new Hospice offices in Dover.On April 22, 1946, Richard married the former Joan McMillen with whom he celebrated 49 years of marriage prior to her passing in 1995. Their vows were exchanged in the First United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia.Survivors are daughters, Karen Cucci and her husband Jeff of Maine and Janet Gordon and her husband David of New Philadelphia; four grandchildren, Beth (Cucci) Wallinga of Maine, Ben Cucci of New Hampshire, Joshua Aubihl of Virginia and Joseph Aubihl of Germany; six great-grandchildren and three step-grandchildren; a sister, Betty Charles and two nephews, David and Steve Charles all of New Philadelphia, complete the family. He valued the friendship of Arlene Kinsey of New Philadelphia during his later years.Family and friends may call at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Thursday, January 12, 2006 from 4 to 7 p.m. Rev. Glen Shedlock will conduct a celebration of Richard’s life on Friday, January 13, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Chapel. Burial will follow in Evergreen Burial Park in New Philadelphia where the New Philadelphia VFW Post # 1445 will perform military honors. A memorial reception will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia following the committal.Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.