Brenda Lee Shank

Brenda Lee Shank, age 86 of Cedarville, IL, passed away at home on Monday, May 4, 2026 . She was born February 26, 1940 in Freeport, IL; the daughter of the late Preston and Ethel (Krell) Sarles. She was a 1958 graduate of Freeport High School and received her nursing degree from Highland Community College. Brenda married Donald Shank on May 21, 1977; he passed on May 12, 2020.

Brenda was a homemaker and was an LPN for FHN Memorial Hospital for 40 years. She retired in 2002 to take care of her husband, Don. She was a member of Embury United Methodist Church and attended 2nd Presbyterian. Brenda was an avid gardener and loved vacationing. She especially enjoyed camping and taking trips to Florida and Branson, MO. Brenda had many talents including sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, ceramics, and painting pottery. She also had several collections such as Percious Moments figures and porcelain dolls. She enjoyed her class luncheons every month with her FHS classmates and also loved playing cards.

She is survived by her daughter, Deborah (Mark) Mullen of Nora, IL; grandchildren, Jeffrey, Ashlee, and Donavon; several great grandchildren; sister, Vicki (Loren VanDegraft) Standley; niece, Heather Hayward; nephew, Ryan Standley; and sister-in-law, Shari Sarles. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; sons, Brad and Brian; and brother, Jim Sarles.

A committal service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport. A memorial fund has been established for the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Friends Forever Humane Society. Condolences may be shared at www.walkermortuary.com.