Pauline Shankle

Delter Pauline Shankle, or more commonly known as Pauline, was born February 9, 1931 in Henryetta, OK, the daughter of William and Rose (Crummit) Martin. Pauline was raised in a large household alongside her three brothers and eight sisters. William moved the family to California in 1944. She later graduated from Bell High School in Los Angeles, CA.

At just 16 years old, Pauline married the love of her life, Vernon Shankle, on October 30, 1947. Together they shared 65 wonderful years of marriage before Vernon’s passing in 2012. Their union was blessed with three children and grew into a legacy of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought Pauline immense joy and pride throughout her life.

Pauline worked for many years as a retail clerk before retiring to Hulbert, OK in 1984. Retirement gave her more time to enjoy the hobbies and talents that made her so special to those around her. She had a gift for baking and was especially known for her homemade pies and cakes. As a young woman, Pauline attended cake decorating school and lovingly created birthday cakes and special occasion cakes for countless family celebrations over the years. Her kitchen was often filled with warmth, sweetness, and the comfort of home. Pauline also loved crocheting and found great happiness in making lap quilts to give away to family, friends, and even people she had only recently met. She once counted that she had made more than 400 lap quilts, each one stitched with care.

Even at 95 years old, Pauline remained fiercely independent and continued taking care of herself with determination and grace. On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, she passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family. She lived a long and meaningful life marked by devotion to her family and generosity toward others. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Rose Martin, husband, Vernon Shankle, one son, Pat Lee Shankle, three brothers, Carl, Wayne, and William “Billy” Martin, eight sisters, Mamie Pilkington, Lois Henderson, Judy Stephens, Jean Blackwell, Juanita “Nita” Shoemaker, Bonnie Smotony, Irma Jones, and Fran Blanchard.

Those left to cherish her memory include her two children, Mike Shankle and wife Ann Martin of Spiro, OK and Lori Duarte of Hulbert, OK, one daughter-in-law, Janet Shankle of Fontana, CA. Her legacy lives on through her six grandchildren, Jeff and wife Jennifer, Michael and wife Renee, Brenda, Weston, Monica and husband Richard, and Matthew, 10 great-grandchildren, Caitlyn, Ryan, Charlotte, Madden, Ryder, Max, Addison, Riley, Violet, and Lillith, nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones.

A Graveside Memorial Service will be held on May 22, 2026 at 10:00 am at the Tahlequah City Cemetery Pavilion where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Vernon.