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Well Known Printer Dies Suddenly at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Bert Shook, 54, whose home was in the former Seymour Smith place, just north of Pataskala, on Route 16, but who, for several years past had been identified with the Gettysburg Times and Publishing Co. of Gettysburg, Pa., died suddenly in his hotel room in that city last Wednesday midnight, of an heart attack. Bert began his apprenticeship as a printer in the Standard office some 40 years ago, and later was employed on the Ohio State Journal, a Springfield, Ohio, paper, and then on a paper at Charleston, W. Va., and in recent years was with the Newark Advocate. He served as a linotype operator on these papers. He left the Advocate to accept the foremanship of the Gettysburg plant. Bert was an honest, conscientious worker, whose loyalty and devotion to duty was proverbial; with a pleasing personality, friendly spirit and equable disposition, he was able to work with the most irascible without undue friction. He was, moreover, of a quiet and unassuming nature, and easily made friends whom he likewise retained. His many friends here were inexpressibly shocked at his sudden passing and could scarcely credit the report. A sad incident in connection with his passing was the fact that he had written and mailed a letter to Mrs. Shook two hours before his death, there is a certain consolation in that. The writer had known Bert intimately, both in work and sport, (he was an ardent amateur fisherman) and always admired him as a square shooter in whatever he was engaged. His was a clean life, a clean mind and a clean conversation. He was held in the highest esteem by the men under him in the Gettysburg plant, and was affectionately known as "Uncle Bert." His sudden passing has brought gloom and sadness to his associates and friends there. He was a son of Rev. and Mrs. S. M. Shook, the father at one time serving as pastor of the local U. B. church, and spent his boyhood in Licking county. He was a member of the Pataskala Presbyterian church, and was affiliated with the Order of the Elks and the Newark Typographical Union. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Olive Shook, his mother, two sisters and four brothers. Brief funeral services were held in Gettysburg and the remains received here on Pennsylvania train 108, Saturday morning. The funeral services in the home here Sunday afternoon were largely attended and were conducted by Rev. R. W. Howes of the Presbyterian church. The pall bearers were of his boyhood friends and burial in the Pataskala cemetery by Vinton D. Morrow. From Gettysburg Times The following excerpts are taken from the Gettysburg (Pa.) Times of April 09, regarding the death of Bert Shook: "Bert G. Shook, superintendent of the printing plant of the Times and News Publishing Co., died very suddenly from coronary embolism, a heart condition, about midnight in his room at the Eagle hotel, Wednesday. "After leaving the Times office as usual about 5 o'clock Wednesday evening, he accompanied Henry J. Smith, editor and manager of the New Oxford Item, to the Item plant in New Oxford and spent several hours there after getting his dinner at a New Oxford restaurant. He appeared to be in his usual good health. "He returned to the hotel about 11 o'clock and about 11:30 got his key at the desk and went to his room on the second floor. Ten minutes later he summoned Mr. Eberhart by phone to his room. He asked him to get him his physician, Dr. Roy W. Gifford and the later responded within a few minutes. As soon as he arrived Dr. Gifford realized the end was near, and so did Mr. Shook, as he told the physician that and asked the doctor to remain with him. He soon lapsed into a coma and passed away within fifteen minutes. With him at the time also were Herbert L. Grimm and Paul B. Ramer, of the Times company and several others. " Mr. Shook came to Gettsyburg from Newark, Ohio, in 1925, when the Times and News Pub. Co., launched an extensive program of expansion and enlargement. He supervised the present setup, which is regarded in printing circles as one of the most efficient and uptodate printing plants in this section. He was a master printer with a thorough knowledge of every machine and detail connected with a printing plant. He introduced four-color printing to Adams County." Card of Thanks. I wish to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to everyone who in any way offered tribute of sympathy and love at the death of my husband, Bert G. Shook. Olive Smith Shook |
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