Donald Logan Shoemaker, 88, Union, passed away, peacefully, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, at St. Clair Nursing Center in St. Clair of complications from pneumonia.
He was born Oct. 21, 1933, to Henry Logan and Sarah Edna (Morgan) Shoemaker in Oak Hill, and was the oldest of seven children.
He was united in marriage to Rena Evelyn Fritz, June 5, 1954, at St. Peter’s UCC at Owensville, and remained so for nearly 63 years until the death of his beloved wife. He mourned her to some degree the rest of his life.
Donald enjoyed hard work, wise investments, teaching various skills to younger family members, keeping up with current events, playing guitar with his wife, old time country music, going to tractor pulls with his brother Doyle, the Franklin and Gasconade County fairs, engaging his grandsons in serious political and religious discussions and good, comfortable shoes. He also enjoyed family gatherings where he spent as much time with the groups of women as he did with the men because he found that often the women were more entertaining and enlightening than the men. Most of his nephews and nieces have stated that their uncle patiently taught them something… from mathematics to mechanics. Donald first voted Republican in 1968 and last for John McCain in 2008. He once said Obama did more good than any Republican he’d voted for, much to the delight of his grandsons. He did not suffer fools, regardless of their wealth or social status and was not shy of saying so directly and bluntly to them. He was very frugal with his money and his compliments, saving both for when needed most. Donald was very proud of his siblings and their children, his children, grandsons and having never knowingly handled a golf club. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #593 and was happy to wash the dishes and cookware at the monthly fund-raising breakfasts. Donald served his country as a generator repairman in the U.S. Army and liked to recall how he was flown all over Europe to repair equipment others could not. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Union and served as one of its past deacons.
He was preceded in death by parents Henry and Sarah Shoemaker; wife Rena Shoemaker; daughter Deborah Shoemaker; and brothers Ralph and James Shoemaker.
He is survived by son Dennis Shoemaker of Union and significant other Elsa Gannod of Antioch, Calif., whom he loved like the daughter he’d lost; brothers Doyle Shoemaker and wife Darlene of Lonedell, Oran Shoemaker of Owensville, Stanley Shoemaker and wife Kathy of Owensville; sister Edna Hock of Cooper Hill; grandchildren Yuri Cejas-Shoemaker and wife Melissa of Mission, Texas, Riley Shoemaker of Hargeisa, Somaliland (Somalia), and Griffin Shoemaker of LaCrosse, Wis.; and great-granddaughter Sydney of Mission, Texas.
Visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 10, from 4–8 p.m. at Gottenstroeter Funeral Home Chapel, Owensville.
Funeral services will be Friday, Feb. 11, at 10:30 a.m. at the chapel with Pastor Gregory Cross officiating. Burial will be at Countryside Memorial Gardens, Owensville, with full military honors.
Memorials suggested to Masonic Lodge #593.
