Jack Shoemaker

Jack W. Shoemaker, 80, of Walkersville, Maryland, passed from this life on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Kline Hospice House in Mount Airy, Maryland. He was the loving husband of Beverly Cramer Shoemaker. They were married nearly 60 years.

Born in Middletown, Maryland, he was the son of the late Wilbur R. and Catherine V. (Shafer) Shoemaker.

Jack graduated in 1955 from Middletown High School. As a young man was active in 4-H and exhibited at the Great Frederick Fair volunteering in the farm and garden building. Jack enjoyed life, helping others and tried to do it all. At the age of 13 years old he started milking 40 cows on his uncle's farm both before and after school. He loved to roller skate at Braddock and later taught his daughter to skate. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping, golf, skiing, tennis and dancing. He took ballroom dancing lessons and danced ballroom and country for 57 years. He began billiards in 2000 after he retired. He went to Las Vegas with championship teams nine times for the APA Tournaments.

He was inventor of the "Rapid-Lay" pipe laying targets and grade checker system, receiving three patents and a trademark from the National Patent Office. For 38 years, he was employed as a road construction foreman retiring in December of 1999 from the F.O. Day Company.

Jack served our country as an enlisted member of the United States National Guard from 1957 - 1963. In addition, Jack joined the Glade United Church of Christ in 1958 having served on the consistory, property committee and helped with church dinners. He was a member of the Woodsboro Dance Club for 25 years, the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company #11, Walkersville Rescue Co. 24, Maryland Fur Trappers as a licensed nuisance trapper for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Frederick Moose Lodge #371, Elks Lodge #684 in Frederick, American Legion Post #282, and the "Coffee Club" at McDonalds.

In addition to his wife, Beverly, he is survived by one daughter, Carole A. Shoemaker and her soul-mate Thomas Whalen; sisters, Shirley A. Eyler ("Sam"), Joan F. Lenhart ("Sammy"), Mary C. Frymyer ("Dick") and P. Diane Stine ("Walt," deceased); brothers, John "Joe" Shoemaker and Robert S. Shoemaker ("Frannie"); and a number of nieces, nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.

A celebration of Jack's life journey will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, August 27, 2017, at the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company, 79 West Frederick Street, Walkersville with Rev. Tim May and Pastor Chad Weddle officiating. Inurnment will take place in Glade Cemetery at the family's convenience.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Frederick County, Post Office Box 1799, Frederick, MD 21702 or to the Walkersville Volunteer Rescue Company, 73 West Frederick Street, Walkersville, MD 21793.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.