Charles Tillman Shanks Jr.

He was born in Maysville, Kentucky on July 24, 1926, to Agnes and Charles T. Shanks Sr., the oldest boy of 13 siblings.

When he was 17 years old, Charlie lied about his age and joined the US Marines because fighting in World War II seemed more appealing than the life he had lived up to that point. In his own words, " I was on the USS SABIK and shipped out from Bayonne, New Jersey. We followed the coastline past Florida to Cuba and halfway down an announcement came over the ship’s speakers, “Now hear this the allies have invaded Normandy”. I will never forget .. I was only 17 years old." He spent his 18th birthday on the warship sailing to the New Hebrides islands getting ready for combat. He suffered injuries during the war serious enough that his return voyage was on a hospital ship and spent several weeks at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego where he could hear the lions roar outside his window from the nearby zoo.

He took a train back to Ohio and soon afterwards married Elizabeth Imogene Mainous. They had 3 children, Mike, Linda, and Kyle, all raised in Hamilton.

Charlie acquired the nickname “Cadillac Charlie” while he worked as an industrial engineer at Fisher Body in Fairfield, where he retired after more than 30 years. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing at Potters and Twin Run courses, He is in the Butler County Softball Hall of Fame, and a Kentucky Colonel.

Charlie had five grandchildren and six great grandchildren that he loved dearly, and they loved him in return. His family was everything to him and he learned how to text and use social media to stay in daily contact with everyone, share a story or joke and keep up with daily life.

Charlie found a way to connect with almost anyone he met, and had a quick wit. He was ready with a joke for every situation and if you met him, you most likely remembered that time with a laugh or smile

There is a big gap in the world without Charlie with us. He was one of a kind and turned a very rough and tumble childhood into a life filled with great stories and connections. When Charlie was around you just knew you were going to have a laugh together no matter how many other people were in the room. He made the extra effort to make sure of it, but it seemed like it was just him being himself. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elizabeth Imogene Shanks; and son, Michael D. Shanks.

Charles is survived by his daughters, Linda Frederick, Kyle Hayden (Stan); grandchildren, Scott, Chris, Taylor, Ryan, Tyler; great-grandchildren, Ellis, Chase, Luke, Ben, Katie, and Eleni; His son in law Stan was especially important to him.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at the Rose Hill Funeral Home, 2565 Princeton Road, Hamilton, Ohio 45011 from 11:00 am until Services at 12:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, Charlie asked that any memorials be made to the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League, P.O. Box 18146, Fairfield, OH 45018-0146, nuxhallmiracleleague.org/.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rosehillfunerals.com for the Shanks family.