John W. Shouse

JOHN WAYNE SHOUSE

John Wayne Shouse passed from life on Christmas Day in the evening. John had numerous health issues. He had seven hospitalizations in 2025. Over four months spent in the hospital.

John was born in Beardstown, IL, on December 29, 1948, the son of Opal (Decker) Shouse and Eugene Shouse. He was the last of eight children. The family moved to Centralia, IL before John entered public school, he graduated from High School there. He was the only member of his family to graduate from college. He earned a Bachelors Degree from Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL.

He had several successful careers. After college, and marriage to a native of New York City, he moved there. He was employed by Scandinavian Airlines. He was later moved by SAS, to Boston, where he was regional sales manager. Later, he joined the staff of Tap Air Portugal in a similar capacity. Finally, he became National Sales Manager for Iran Air. The NYC office of this highly financed airline, was padlocked by the US Federal Government, on the day in 1979 that the Shah of Iran was deposed.

John had met and talked with a legendary business leader. He advised John to find work in the place where the money was, the Financial Industry. John took this advice and became employed by The Equitable. Later he joined Oppenheimer to bring their new family of Mutual Funds to the Market. He was regional sales manager for the States of New York, and all of New England. His most significant and lucrative position was with the major financial company, Blackrock. There, as Vice President, he managed the same seven states. Retiring early, due to ill health, he did several part time jobs that kept him busy and fulfilled, until August 2025.

In July 1983 John met William Spong with whom he shared the rest of his life. In recognition of thirty years together, in July 2013, they were married at their long time Church in Manhattan, St. Peters Lutheran Church. They lived many years at the top of a building on the upper east side of Manhattan. In preparation for

retirement, they built their dream home in northeastern Pennsylvania. In 2011, they sought warmer climates, and happily moved to Summerville, SC.

Beside Mr. Spong, John is survived by his Daughter, Elizabeth Marie Neill, and his Stepdaughter Christine Renee (Spong) Kurtz, his Granddaughter Liliana Renee Ward, his Sister Dorothy Lashbrook, his youngest Sister Kay Ann Bateman, and many nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by Brothers: Eugene Edgar, Richard Lee, Robert Nelson, and James Ronald, and Sister Mary Elizabeth.

Services will be held on Thursday, January 15, at 11:00 AM

at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, at 206 Central Ave, Summerville, SC