John Maurice Shank

John Shank

August 2, 1930 – November 29, 2025

John Maurice Shank passed away quietly at his residence November 29, 2025. John lived 95 full years bringing color to all he touched. He was born in Salem Virginia where he attended the Academy and Broad Street schools and graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1948. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and followed this with graduate study at the Institute of International Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. He then joined the US Army Counter-Intelligence Corp and was posted in Iceland.

When he left the service, he returned to Washington DC and went to work for American Securities and Trust Company and later as a financial consultant with Davidge and Company. John met Joseph Matthews for the first time at a social gathering in DC or he met him on a tour bus in Amsterdam we aren't sure which story comes first but what we do know for sure is their relationship blossomed into 60 plus years as life partners.

Following retirement for both John and Joe they formed Matthews and Shank Antiques, dealers in fine art and antiques. John was a renowned authority on 18th and 19th century Chinese export and European porcelain. John and Joe traveled extensively in both the US and Europe buying and selling treasures and collecting as well.

Matthews and Shank Antiques was headquartered in their home at the corner of German and Church Streets. It was a Frat house when purchased and was lovingly restored and filled with treasures worthy of a spread in Architectural Digest. John also loved gardening and his garden designed by Eric Sundback played host for many garden parties.

John and Joe loved opera. They would make a trip to NY annually for a week at the Met. They were avid collectors of art, antique furniture, and porcelain and loved to entertain friends and family in their home. John's life was blessed, and he enjoyed giving back to his community in his later years.

John was predeceased by his life partner Joseph Matthews, his parents John Leonard and Thelma Jeter Shank and his sister and brother-in-law Thelma Jeter Shank Hildebrand and John Roberts Hildebrand. John "the beloved uncle" is survived by nieces and a nephew Martha Sherwood, John Hildebrand, Jr, Sarah Caldwell and Caroline Cochrane and numerous great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews. John and Joe also loved their bulldogs. He was predeceased by Winston, Elsa, Maxmillion, Finneas, Jolie, Drake, and Sarah. He is survived by Sergio.

A private interment service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown, January 24th and a celebratory event is being planned at the War Memorial Building in Shepherdstown, date to be determined. Gifts in recognition of John's legacy to Shepherdstown should be directed to the Shepherdstown Community Club (War Memorial Building preservation fund). Donations can be mailed to SCC PO Box 463, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.

Arrangements are by the Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Ranson, WV

Please sign his online guestbook at www.mtstrider.com