Edward G. Shumaker

April 30, 1930 – October 24, 2021

Ed Shumaker, 91, of Waukegan, IL died on October 24, 2021. He was born on April

30, 1930 to the late Ernest and Ethel (Getschman) Shumaker. He graduated from

Kiel High School, and served in the U.S. Air Force, Korean War, as a radar mechanic.

Ed also worked for General Motors in Flint, MI and Milwaukee, WI before moving to

Waukegan, IL to be the Director of Purchasing for Ammco Tools. After several years

in the industry, he became a full-time real estate investor.

Ed fell in love with and married Kathryn (Kitty) Mertens in 1953; they had known

each other in high school, and began dating after his return from the Air Force.

Together they raised 7 children, and managed their growing real estate investments.

Ed founded the Lake County Apartment Owner’s Association, and taught classes in

creative real estate investing through the College of Lake County. He loved to share

his enthusiasm for real estate investing, and in 1991 he and Kitty published a book

Creative Real Estate Investing…One Family’s Success Story.

Ed was a real people person—he loved his family, and he loved helping others. He

was a very positive thinker who focused on finding solutions to problems. After

retiring in 1994, he organized I-Plus, an agency that helped struggling individuals

get their bills paid and take control of their finances. He was also the founder and

president of the Lake Shore Youth Center, a safe haven for at-risk children in

Waukegan. Ed served as the Waukegan Township Clerk from 1997-2000, donating

his salary to the Lake Shore Youth Center. He was instrumental in forming the Boys

& Girls Club of Lake County. In his final act of service, Ed chose to donate his body to

Medical Research. He was a lifelong volunteer, and received many awards from the

organizations blessed by his service.

Ed is survived by Kitty, his wife of 68 years, their children: Ann (Torry) Bigger,

Mary (Harry) Jordan, Mark (Elizabeth) Shumaker, Joan (Tom) Bigger, Paul (Debbie)

Shumaker, Nancy (Joe) Jarzen and Kathryn (Marty Hackl) Siegel, as well as 23

grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. 6 siblings further survive him.

His parents and 4 siblings preceded him in death.

There will be a funeral mass for Ed on Friday, October 29th at Holy Family Catholic

Church, 450 Keller Avenue, Waukegan, IL. Visitation from 10-11am, and mass at

11am.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Boys & Girls Club of Lake County IL are

appreciated.