John W. Shoemaker, 90, of Muncie, IN; former Dunkirk, IN resident, passed away April 17, 2009 at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, FL. He was born on October 15, 1918 in Jay County, IN to the late George E. and Mary (Smith) Shoemaker.
He served four and one half years in the Army during WWII in the Caribbean and European theatre with the field artillery as a recon pilot. He graduated from Bryant High School, attended the University of Toledo, and graduated from Purdue University with a degree in pharmacy. John owned and operated Shoemaker Drug Store in Dunkirk for 23 years. He was employed by Indiana''s State Board of Pharmacy and retired from the Indiana State Board of Health.
John was a member of the Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church of Dunkirk, American Legion Ralph Burgess Post #227, Dunkirk Lodge No. 275, F.&A.M., Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Valley of Ft. Wayne, and Dunkirk Lions Club.
Surviving relatives include his loving wife of 66 years Anna (Keller) Shoemaker, two daughters, Carol (James) Haler of Yorktown, IN; Kay (Roger) Neher of Edgewater, FL; three grandchildren, Jason Neher (Jannessa) of Manassas, VA; John Haler of Fishers and Jessica Haler of Yorktown, and one brother Virgil Max Shoemaker (Nancy) of Greenville, OH.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Donald Shoemaker.
Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2009 at Garden View Funeral Home 10501 North State Road 3 Muncie, IN. Rev. Randy Davis will officiate the service. Burial will follow in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Muncie. He will be honored with military rites at the cemetery provided by the Delaware County Honor Guard. Visitation will be Sunday, April 26, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to service time on Monday. Memorial contributions can be made to Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church or the American Heart Association in memory of John Shoemaker. If you would like to sign the online guest book and send condolences to the family, you may do so by visiting www.gardenviewandgardensofmemory.com.