Robert Jackson Shanks

Robert Jackson Shanks, 89, of Springfield, passed away on Saturday April 8, 2017 at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy. He was born in Watseka, Illinois on December 4, 1927 to Roy William Shanks and Anna Mae Coleman.

Mr. Shanks graduated from Watseka High School in May of 1945 and joined the Navy in June of that same year. Robert served on Air Craft Carrier CVE 113-Uss Puget Sound for two years. He shipped out of San Francisco and served in the South Pacific theatre durind World War II. Robert traveled to Okinowa, Bataan, Corriigador, Manilla, and Pearl Harbor. In 1947 Mr. Shanks returned to Illinois and attended Olivet Nazarene University and Bradley University. He joined A.J. Shanks Construction Company in 1950 where he served in many capacities as an employee working his way up to superintendent. Robert formed a partnership with D.E. Lynch known as Lynch and Shanks Road Construction Company out of Macomb, Illinois. Mr. Shanks moved to Springfield in 1975 where he married Tammy Jackson. During that time he was the owner and operator of the Dock Night Club until 1978. He worked for Central Illinois Road Equipment Company until 1985, Roland Machinery until 1990, and Equipment Exchange until his retirement in 2007.

Robert was preceded in death by his son Craig in 2008 and his daughter Jackie Ann in 2014. He is survived by his wife Tammy Jackson of Springfield, two daughters: Kristine Senter and Nancy Shanks both of North Hollywood, California, one son Patrick Shanks of Honolulu, Hawaii and three grandchildren.

The family will meet friends from 9:30am until 11:30am Saturday April 15, 2017 at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road. A private burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka. Memorial contributions may be made to the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy and please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewes.com.