Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT6/10/1985

Alvin W. Shank

February 19, 1905 – June 7, 1985

Services for Alvin W. Shank, 80, of Port Charlotte FL, formerly of South Bend, who died Friday in Florida, after an apparent heart attack, will be at 6pm Wednesday at the Kays-Ponger Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Moore Lodge 2121 of Port Charlotte will lead the memorial services.  Cremation will take place in Florida.

Mrs. Shank was born February 19, 1905, in Goshen and moved to South Bend in the 1920s to attend the former South Bend Business College.  He began his banking career as a clearing and proof clerk in 1925 with Merchants National Bank.  Merchants consolidated with City National Bank in 1944, forming National Bank & Trust Co.  He retired in 1970 as senior vice president at National Bank.

On June 30, 1934, Mr. Shank was a paying teller at Merchants when John Dillinger and two others held up the bank.  Mr. Shank remained in the background during the robbery, which left one man dead and six others wounded.

Mrs. Shank became a receiving teller in 1928, a paying teller in 1931, advancing to assistant cashier in 1936.  He later took over the mortgage loan department and was put in charge of certifying U.S. Savings Bond cashing.  In 1947, he was promoted to vice president, and was made senior vice president in 1966. 

In June 1953, he received the Pilgrim Degree from the Loyal Order o Moose, where he had served as secretary, Vice president and governor.  He also served as president of the Indiana State Moose Association.  In 1966, he was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the St Joseph County U.S. Savings Bonds Committee for his 10-year service.  He was also a member of Elks Lodge 2153 in Port Charlotte. 

Mr. Shank is survived by his wife, the former Grace L. Wells.  Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of donor’s choice.