Anabelle B. Schenk

Anabelle Blankestyn Schenk was born March 5, 1924 at Lansing, Illinois. Her parents were Richard and Hattie DeYoung Blankestyn. She grew up in Momence. She graduated from Momence High School and later Bryant Stratton College (Chicago). In 1942-43 she worked for US Navy in Chicago. She married her high school sweet heart, Ray A. Schenk July 23, 1943 in Victorville, CA where he was in training with US Army Air Corps. In 1945 they returned to Momence. They raised four sons, John, Mark, David, and Peter. In 1969 Mark was killed in an automobile accident while attending the USAF Academy. Anabelle worked at Carter-Wallace in Momence as a secretary. After the death of her husband in September 1976 she ran Ray A. Schenk Insurance agency in Momence for 9 years, with the assistance of Clara Butterfield and Helen Kurtz. After retiring she served as a volunteer in the Emergency Room at Riverside Hospital in Kankakee for almost 10 years. She loved to read and do needlework. She was a Charter member of Calvary Baptist Church, and served as church treasurer for many years. She enjoyed the fellowship of the Ladies Missionary group. In 2016 she moved to Savannah, GA to be near family, and joined Independent Presbyterian Church. She died November 2, 2018 at Hospice Savannah. She is survived by John and Rebecca Schenk (Glenwood Springs, CO), David and Becky Schenk (San Antonio, TX) and Peter and Katherine Marie Schenk (Savannah), six grandsons and two granddaughters, seven great-grandchildren, 3 nephews and her sister-in-law Brenda (Percy) Blankestyn. She had a wonderful life. She readily affirmed her faith with the first question and answer of the Heidelberg Catechism (1563): Q. What is your only comfort in life and death? A. That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; indeed all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Anabelle B. Schenk

March 5, 1924 - November 2, 2018

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