Daniel Arthur Shenk, 86 of Cross Junction, VA, passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2025, peacefully at home.

Dan was born in 1938 in Winchester, VA, the son of the late Elonzo and Evelyn Shenk. Dan received his high school diploma in 1957 from James Wood High School and married his High School sweetheart Mary Gold Jobe on June 12th, 1959, at Brucetown United Methodist Church. Dan and Mary’s first child Dana was born in 1960. Dan was a member of the VPI Corps of Cadets and graduated with a BS in Agricultural Education and was commissioned as a 2nd LT in the US Army in 1961. He taught Vocational Agriculture for one year in Clarke County, VA before he was assigned to Fort Campbell, KY as the Assistant Commissary Officer from 1962-1963 where his sons Todd and Dwight were born. Dan received The Army Commendation medal for his service in 1964 as Mortuary Officer for the 3rd U.S. Army Recovery Region. Upon leaving the Army, Dan worked for the Frederick County Public School System from 1964-1973 teaching Vocational Agriculture at Frederick County Junior High and becoming Assistant Principal in 1973. Dan completed his Masters in Education Administration from VA Tech in 1972 and became Principal at Dowell J. Howard Vocational Technical Center from 1974 until he retired from this position in 1991. After retiring, Dan returned and worked part-time and held various positions as a substitute teacher, part-time agriculture teacher, temporary counselor for Frederick County SYEP and various administrative assignments in the school system and school board office until 2015.

Dan operated a family Christmas Tree Farm called “DanMar” for 28 years in Reynolds Store, VA. He moved to his son’s Christmas tree farm “Sherwood Pines Christmas Tree Farm” in 2006 where he helped with the farm activities for many years. Dan loved doing woodwork and building and fixing furniture. He enjoyed traveling with his wife Mary and in 1996 they chronicled their trip across the U.S. Dan enjoyed watching the Washington Nationals and the Virginia Tech Football and Basketball games.

Dan’s wife, Mary Gold Jobe Shenk preceded him in death on August 21, 2018.

Dan is survived by his daughter, Dana S. Collins; sons, Todd D. Shenk (Lee Ann), Dwight E. Shenk (Laura); 10 loving grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren, as well as his brother, Roger William Shenk (Sue).

A visitation will be held for Dan on Monday, June 30, 2025, at 10am with a service to be conducted at 11am at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel. Officiating will be Pastor Doug Rinker of Round Hill Church.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dan to Blue Ridge Care, 333 W. Cork St., Suite 405, Winchester, VA 22601.