Nathan J. Shanks

Nathan John Shanks, age 46, passed away peacefully at home with his family on Sunday, August 10, 2025. Services will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by funeral service at 6:00 p.m.

Nathan was born on March 8, 1979, at Broadlawns Hospital here in Des Moines, IA to his mother, Tammy Shanks. Jim Sharp played a significant role as a father figure in Nathan’s early years.

Nathan received a GED and attended DMACC studying in the automotive program. During those years he worked at A&W Restaurant (which is where he met Melissa). He also worked at Principal Financial in the mail room for a couple of years.
He went on to work at H&H Plumbing and excelled in this trade. For 10 years Nathan proved his craft through hard work and excellence. He decided to pursue studying HVAC and went to HVAC school and graduated in the top tier of his class. During that time, he worked at Bell Brothers.

Then Nathan bought Baldon Plumbing, Heating and Cooling and has owned that business for the past ten years. Nathan married the love of his life, Melissa McMillen, on June 9, 2012. They both moved to Adel in 2014.

Nathan is survived by his wife whom he loved, Melissa, and his dog, Chumlee; his mother, Tammy Shanks; father figure, Jim (Dana) Sharp; father-in-law, Dale McMillen; siblings, Nick (Carrie) Sharp, Josh (Annie) Sharp, Melissa (Alex) Venter, and Tommy (Leah) Sharp; as well as numerous other family and friends.

Nathan was preceded in death by John Shanks (Grandfather), Judy Shanks (Grandmother), Tina Bridges (Aunt), Tim Shanks (Uncle), and Tracey Shanks (Uncle).

Nathan was generous to a fault. He was loyal, hard-working, stubborn, kind, compassionate, and trustworthy. He was an excellent guitar player and loved music. In the past few years he became very proficient playing drums. He loved video games, kayaking, and vacations that his mom took him on. Nathan was passionate about the Lord Jesus Christ. Nathan enjoyed his work. He was a problem solver. He would not let a work-related struggle go unfinished. He worked it out and did it well every time.

Nathan’s life verse that he lived by was Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

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