Douglas Owen Shank

Mattoon, IL – Douglas Owen Shank of Mattoon, IL, died peacefully at home Saturday, June 27, 2015. Private services in his honor were held at Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan, IL, with Reverend Robert C. Clark officiating. Doug was born November 20, 1940, in Sullivan, IL. He was the son of Owen George and Leona Luella (Gabelmann) Shank. He married Kathlene Rose Stapfer on December 31, 1971, in Atlanta, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Donna Ruth Wheeler. Survivors include his wife, Kathlene of Mattoon, IL; sister-in-law, Cherie Ellen Null and husband William of Baldwin, MO; five nephews: Matthew Cody Null of Baldwin, MO, Keith Douglas Null of Columbia, MO, Bradford Owen Wheeler and wife Tammie of Sullivan, IL, Kristin Edwards Wheeler and wife Shelly of Sullivan, IL, and Derrick Douglas Wheeler of Sullivan, IL; Cousins, Nanci Newstrom, Anna Davis, Jeri Obert, Barbara Wheeler, Valerie Allen, John, Judy, Kimberly, and Kevin Looby, Natalie Hill, and Spencer Hill; Great nieces and nephews: Ben, Hannah, Jed, and Gus Wheeler, and Alexander Null; Special friends: Christy and Bryon Hooser, Rae and Tom Miller, Janice and Harold King, Ken and Jan Ozier, Donetta and Phliete Goodman, Chuck Trover, Jacob Trover, Sarah Jensen, Angela Owens, Reverend Robert and Mrs. Roberta Abstein, and. Joe McKay, Johanna Hartline, Sharon Balch, Brooke Gentry, and Brittan Lockart provided support and loving care to Doug as his neurological issues negatively impacted the quality of his life. Doug was a 1958 graduate of Sullivan High School, Sullivan, IL and Florida State University, earning his degree in business in 1962. While at Florida State he was active in student government and was president of his fraternity, Theta Chi. After graduation, he took his first position with Shell Oil Company. He worked for Shell for 7 years in Miami and then in the Shell head office in New York, NY. He returned to Illinois in 1969 and was the co-owner of Shank Road Oil and Culvert Company, Walker Company, and J and D Services. Jim Wheeler, Sullivan, IL, is his former business partner and brother-in-law. Mr. Shank was an active and dedicated member, across 25 years, on Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Systems Governing Boards. He served in various roles, including a term as president of the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System Board. He was involved in the founding of the Mattoon chapter of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He was a member of the Mattoon Golf and Country Club, Mattoon, IL, and a former member of the Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club, Palm City, FL. He was a member of the First Christian Church, Mattoon, IL. Doug unselfishly donated his brain to a neurological research project being conducted by the medical research staff of the Movement Disorder Clinic, Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO. He made this donation because he believed that the research being done will result in a better understanding of varying neurological conditions and the causes and treatment of these diseases. Doug believed in giving and believed it was truly better to give than receive. Memorials in his honor may be made to the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice. The family was assisted with arrangements by Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, Mattoon, IL.

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Douglas Owen Shank

November 20, 1940 - June 27, 2015