Opinion

Shankel descendents meet for annual reunion

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Over 70 Descendents of Elmer Donovan and Lola Mae (Neil) Shankel met for their annual reunion at Buck Run Community Center, Sunday, May 25. This marked the Golden anniversary of the traditional annual meeting of the family members started in 1958 by the parents. It was carried on by the six living children of the couple, who were married in Fort Scott, May 02, 1921.

Memories of parents, grandparents, grandchildren and siblings were shared through a DVD presentation that included family pictures from the earlier reunions of the 50's and 60's. Ancestry genealogy information was shared from research completed by Bob Neil of Fort Worth, Texas, nephew of Lola Mae Shankel. A youth talent contest was also held. Lunch was catered by Chicken Annie's of Girard.

Those in attendance from the Johnson County area were Ida Smith; Beth, Robbie and Ashley Kitchen; Bruce, Lindsey, Lauren and Logan Smith; J D Shankel; Scott and Diane Shankel; Tina, Marty and Tyler Hooks; and Bob and Sharon Shankel.

From the Fort Scott area, Madeline Gilliland; Virginia Stevens; Curt and Gloria Shankel; Janet and Christy Beene; Tami, Jacob and Brianne Lawrence; Jyandy and Mikayla Norris; Larry and Kathleen Gilliland; Zack Smith; Melinda, Kelic, Kiran and Kaleb Bailey.

From Wichita, Roger and Irene Lowe. From Minneapolis, Minn., Jason, Trina, Joran and Garriella Schwakope. From Rockford, Ill., Dean Shankel. From Oklahoma City, Matt and Mckenzie Shankel. From San Antonio, Texas, Greg, Deana, Kati, Victoria and Vincent Amicone.

From the Girard area, Gerald and Jan Azember; Brian, Jill, Allie and Kayla Davied; Rich Highfill; Greg and Terry Smith; Kayla Owen; Richard, Kelli, Dakota, Destiny, Danica and Alex Lopez; Kusta Sandy Owen; Robin, Bobby, Taylor, Jordan, Jayden Hawkins and Krista, Trevor and Taylor Bruning.

-- Submitted by

Curtis Shankel