In Memory Of
Larry Earl Shankles
1947
2023
Larry Earl Shankles
January 8, 1947 — June 5, 2023
Larry Earl Shankles, 76, of Topeka, passed away Monday, June 5, 2023 at KU Medical Center.
He was born January 8, 1947, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Cecil Paul and Helen (Palmer) Shankles. He graduated from Fort Scott Senior High School in 1965. After graduation, he attended the University of Kansas where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Engineering. He was a proud KU Alum and was a member of the Alumni Association.
Larry was employed by the Kansas Department of Transportation for 40 years as a Bridge Engineer, retiring in 2009.
He was a proud supporter of Topeka Friends of the Zoo and was a season ticket holder for the Topeka Symphony Orchestra. Larry was a member of the National Railway Historical Society, National Model Railroad Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers and attended First Southern Baptist Church, of Topeka.
Larry enjoyed listening to Russian classical music, watching trains and circuses and building N Scale models of both.
Survivors include his cousins, Judy Bevan of Garden Plain, KS, Shirley Williams of Independence, MO, Peggy Emmerson of Fort Scott, KS, Joyce Stratford of Pratt, KS, Gary Smokewood of Eagan, MN, and Lynn Barr of Fort Scott, KS and his dear friends, Loren and Cindy Risch of Topeka and their children, Anne Kirby, Erin Zoutendam and Andrew Risch.
He was preceded in death by his parents and cousins, Sammy Simpson and Ricky Simpson.
A Funeral Ceremony will be at 10:00 am, Monday, June 12, 2023 at the Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS. Friends and relatives will be greeted one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Clarksburg Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kansas at 3:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Topeka Zoo, 635 SW Gage, Topeka, KS 66606, the University of Kansas Endowment Association for benefit of the civil engineer program, 1891 Constant Ave, Lawrence, KS 66047 or to the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Hero's, 1 S Main St, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
Larry's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.
To leave a message for the family online, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born January 8, 1947, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Cecil Paul and Helen (Palmer) Shankles. He graduated from Fort Scott Senior High School in 1965. After graduation, he attended the University of Kansas where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Engineering. He was a proud KU Alum and was a member of the Alumni Association.
Larry was employed by the Kansas Department of Transportation for 40 years as a Bridge Engineer, retiring in 2009.
He was a proud supporter of Topeka Friends of the Zoo and was a season ticket holder for the Topeka Symphony Orchestra. Larry was a member of the National Railway Historical Society, National Model Railroad Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers and attended First Southern Baptist Church, of Topeka.
Larry enjoyed listening to Russian classical music, watching trains and circuses and building N Scale models of both.
Survivors include his cousins, Judy Bevan of Garden Plain, KS, Shirley Williams of Independence, MO, Peggy Emmerson of Fort Scott, KS, Joyce Stratford of Pratt, KS, Gary Smokewood of Eagan, MN, and Lynn Barr of Fort Scott, KS and his dear friends, Loren and Cindy Risch of Topeka and their children, Anne Kirby, Erin Zoutendam and Andrew Risch.
He was preceded in death by his parents and cousins, Sammy Simpson and Ricky Simpson.
A Funeral Ceremony will be at 10:00 am, Monday, June 12, 2023 at the Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS. Friends and relatives will be greeted one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Clarksburg Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kansas at 3:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Topeka Zoo, 635 SW Gage, Topeka, KS 66606, the University of Kansas Endowment Association for benefit of the civil engineer program, 1891 Constant Ave, Lawrence, KS 66047 or to the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Hero's, 1 S Main St, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
Larry's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.
To leave a message for the family online, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Larry Earl Shankles, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Monday, June 12, 2023
9:00 - 10:00 am (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Service
Monday, June 12, 2023
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 7
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