Jay D. Shoemaker, 65, of South Whitley, died at 5:35 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2009 at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne where he was admitted on Monday, December 29th.
He was born April 5, 1943 in Kosciusko County, Indiana a son of Donavan and Goldie (Taylor) Shoemaker. His formative years were spent in Claypool. He graduated from Claypool High School.
After graduating from Indianapolis Barber College he resided in South Whitley where he was a barber for 18 years. He resided in Ohio for a few years before returning to South Whitley.
He was a salesman for Yetter Farm Equipment, Rupley Farm Equipment and currently for Kerlin Tractor Sales in Silver Lake.
On December 27, 2004 he was united in marriage to Mary L. (Sitts) Snyder.
He was a South Whitley Volunteer Fireman. His memberships also include Eel River Masonic Lodge #510 F. & A.M., Scottish Rite and Whitley County Shrine Club.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Mary; two sons, Kevin (Deb) Shoemaker of South Whitley and Kip (Trisha) Shoemaker of North Manchester; three grandsons; four step children, Linda (Raymond) Loe of North Webster, Donna (LeRoy) Fugate of South Whitley, Don (Vicky) Snyder Jr. of Silver Lake and Julie Snyder of South Whitley; four step grandchildren; 22 step great grandchildren; his mother, Goldie Shoemaker of South Whitley; and a sister, Janet (Rex) Woodruff of Bloomington.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley. The burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Claypool. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
The Eel River Masonic Lodge #510 F. & A.M. will conduct a Masonic service at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to the South Whitley-Cleveland Township Volunteer Fire Department.