Crossville, TN - Carl Joseph Shenk, born Sept. 22, 1936, in Denbigh, VA, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Feb. 13, 2026.

Carl's greatest achievement was the legacy of faith he left his family. He was a talented woodworker who created beautiful family heirlooms. He was an avid reader, gardener, storyteller, and adventurer. As a young man, Carl traveled to Navassa Island, Cuba, establishing a ham radio outpost that recorded contacts from operators around the globe. He attended Eastern Mennonite College (EMC) where he played basketball, wrote articles for the EMC newspaper, and performed Handel's "Messiah" with the choir.

He began his life-long career in print media in Harrisonburg, VA, at the Daily News-Record. Carl was always active in his local church, most recently Central Baptist Church, being instrumental in church planting and leadership. In retirement, Carl and Shirley, his wife of 66 years, traveled throughout the United States including Alaska as Mobile Missionaries (MMAP) using his skills in over 45 mission projects over 10 years. He was a great prayer warrior who prayed daily for every member of his family. His desire was that we would each know Jesus as our personal Savior, and enjoy a relationship with Jesus as he did.

"For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9.

Carl was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Shenk; his parents, Ezra and Pauline Shenk; his sister, Grace Lynch; and his daughter-in-law, Robin Shenk. He is survived by his children, Perry Martin (Blanca) Shenk, Bryan Martin (Carolyn) Shenk, and Carla (Bill) Harle; his 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and his sisters, Nora Miller, Ruth Shenk, and Gladys Wyse (John Mark).

A Memorial service will be held at Central Baptist Church on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 at 11 a.m., Rev. Martin Shenk and Rev. Billy Kemp officiating.