Obit: Shoemaker, Donald E. (1932 - 2007)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Shoemaker, Anderson, Gengenbach, Weaver, Harycki, Mayes, Scott, Timm, Gust

----Sources: Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI.) July 4, 2007

Shoemaker, Donald E. (May 17, 1932 - June 28, 2007)

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Donald E. Shoemaker joined his Savior and the loved ones who preceded him, on June 28, 2007, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Donald’s family and friends will always cherish their memories of his love, work ethic, sense of humor and dedication to John Deere tractors.

Donald was born in Clark County on May 17, 1932, into a family that included a dozen brothers and sisters. He graduated from Greenwood High School in 1950 and married the love of his life, Nora May Anderson, on May 29, 1953, in Stanley.

Throughout his life, Donald was known for staying busy with a wide variety of projects. He worked three jobs for much of his life. He spent more than 30 years working for the City of Eau Claire and was a strong union advocate. Alternating with swing shifts for the city, Donald spent countless hours cleaning carpets the "right way" - on his hands and knees with natural sponges.

He proudly served in the Wisconsin National Guard, enlisting in 1949 and retiring in 1993 as a Master Sergeant. Most of his career was spent with the 128th Infantry. It included several activations such as the time spent at Fort Lewis, Washington, in response to the Berlin Wall Crisis in 1961.

Donald took great pride in the ingenuity and sheer function of the many projects he tackled with his brother Wayne, from gutting and remodeling a couple of homes to replacing engines and transmissions in cars and trucks - such as his prized 1954 International pick-up with the Mopar engine.

Those who will miss him dearly include Nora, his wife of 54 years; children: Cliff (Debra Gengenbach), Tony, Earl (Kate), and Laura; siblings: Wayne (Sharon), Leo (Chuckie), Lucile (Lewis) Weaver, Fern Harycki, Bill (Jean) Dareld, Darlene Mayes, Virginia Scott, Norma Timm, Ervin, And Albert (Bonnie); 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; special little buddy Mitchell Gust; and many other friends and relatives.

He was preceded in his sojourn by his beloved grandson, Josh, brother Paul, twin sister Dorothy, parents Ernest and Hazel, and loving in-laws Clarence and Bertha (Buck and Granny) Anderson.

Visitation was held on Monday, July 2, 2007, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on July 3, at the Wesleyan Church on Keith Street in Eau Claire, where he was a long-time member. Friends called at the church on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service. Entombment will be at the Chapel of the Resurrection Mausoleum in Calvary Cemetery.

Family and friends may send condolences online at www.fullerspeckien.com

Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.