Benjamin Shoemaker

Benjamin E. Shoemaker, 64, of Oquawka, Illinois died Thursday, November 24, 2011 at Trinity, Rock Island. A memorial service will be Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Keithsburg First Christian Church, with visitation 1 hour prior. Memorials may be left for Disabled American Veterans. Burial will be in New Boston Cemetery with graveside military rites. Dennison Funeral Home, Aledo is handling arrangements. Benjamin was born November 12, 1947 in New Boston, Illinois a son of Freeman and Helen Howard Shoemaker. He married Sharon Adams in 1978. On August 17, 2001 he married Susan Goodwin. Ben served in the Army during Vietnam. For 30 years he worked at Heinz, retiring in 2002. After retirement, he enjoyed working for a lawn care service. He enjoyed playing pool, even winning several tournaments over the years. He also liked to hunt and fish. His greatest love was spending time with his family and friends. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sue Shoemaker, Oquawka, IL; 2 sons, Ben Shoemaker, Muscatine and Brad (Sara) Shoemaker, Davenport, IA; 3 stepdaughters, Shaline (Jake) Jackson, Letts, IA, Sandra Avila, Oxnard, CA and Anna Goodwin, Muscatine, IA; 18 grandchildren; 4 brothers, Freeman (Arlene) Shoemaker, Oquawka, IL, Bill "Boot" Shoemaker, Keithsburg, IL, Rick (Donna) Shoemaker, Muscatine, IA, Tim (Becky) Shoemaker, Keithsburg, IL; 5 sisters, Barb Gaylor, New Boston, IL, Tina Byrd, Muscatine, Jeanie Briles, Vickie Kapsalis and Jeri Sargeant, all of Keithsburg, IL and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.