Joseph O. Matthews

Joseph O. Matthews passed away in the care of Hospice of the Eastern Panhandle on May 6 following a brief illness. He was 94. He was born in Rockville, Maryland to Joseph O. Matthews and Helen Fisher.

Joe was a graduate of Gonzaga High School in Washington, DC, attended Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland and graduated from George Washington University. He served in the US Army for two years and was stationed in Alaska. Joe enjoyed a 20-year career with IBM, working in Washington and in Hagerstown. Joe and his life partner John Shank restored an early 19th century stone house outside of Boonsboro.

Following retirement, they established the Matthews and Shank Antiques business in Shepherdstown, West Virginia in 1980 and they displayed their antiques in high end shows across the United States for many years. They also operated an art gallery in conjunction with the antiques business. After closing their business in 2001, Joe and John traveled extensively in Europe and attended a week of Metropolitan Opera performances every year. Joe was an avid collector of antique furniture, porcelain and art and he enjoyed entertaining. His mischievous sense of humor was a delight to his friends. Joe was predeceased by two sisters and a brother. He is survived by his life partner of 60 years, his nephew Kenneth Hranicky, and his nieces Teresa Weisinger, Marie Reid and Justine Hranicky. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the excellent and heartfelt care Joe received in his final months.

A private service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown and a celebration of life will be held later.

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

Please sign the online guestbook at www.mtstrider.com.