Betty Jane (Beckham) Shank

Betty Jane (Beckham) Shank 

Age 82, of Arcanum, Ohio, was called home to be with the Lord on Christmas Day, December 25, 2020. She passed away peacefully at home with family members by her side. Betty was born to the late Raymond and Gladys (Hodge) Beckham on July 28, 1938, in Lawrenceburg, TN.

Following high school graduation in Lawrenceburg, Betty attended business college in Nashville, TN. In 1961, as a single mom, she moved, with her widowed mother and younger siblings to Dayton, OH, following the death of her father. She worked at various jobs, including at Leland Electric, to help support the entire family. She also worked with some of Dayton’s finest chefs in various locations.

In 1971, she married Bruce Shank, from Arcanum, OH, and became part of his community. She became a member of the Pitsburg Church of the Brethren and became active in various outreach ministries, especially if it had anything to do with cooking! During those years, Betty became active in the Arcanum PTO, serving as President for one term. She was active in the Girl Scout organization and produced style shows of vintage ladies clothing. She was an avid reader and spent many hours at the local library. She was a very loving and generous individual.

Betty co-owned and managed The Corner Restaurant in Arcanum from 1974-1978. With her cooking and baking skills, she then started a specialty catering business, Sheer Ambrosia, with her friend Cindy Bright.

Betty attended the Hixson School of Floral Design in Cleveland, OH, and opened Angelique’s Floral and Gift Shop with one of her daughters, Kimberly, first in Troy, OH, then moving to Tipp City, OH.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her sister Saundra (C. J. Camron) and her nephew Keith Camron.

Surviving her is her husband, Bruce; her brother Jim (Linda) Beckham of Port Saint Lucie, FL; her daughter Kimberly (Mike) Jackson of Arcanum; her daughter Cathy (Brian) Skidmore of Paris, TX; her daughter Angela Shank-Perretta of Arcanum; her step-daughter Christine Shank of Vandalia; her step-son Richard (Aurora) Shank of Panama City Beach, FL, ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild along with nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 31, 2020, 10AM, at the Pitsburg Church of the Brethren, 8376 Pitsburg-Laura Rd., Arcanum, OH 45304. Internment will follow at Ithaca Cemetery.  A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 from 5pm-7pm at the Kreitzer Funeral Home, 204 N. Main St., Arcanum, OH 45304. Online condolences can be made by going to kreitzerfuneralhome.com.