Dora Susan Shoemaker

Dora Susan “Susie” Shoemaker, 72, was born in Towanda on April 5, 1948, to Willie and Geneva Baker. Susie worked at Margaret’s Cafe in Lexington where she met the love of her life, Charlie. They began their marriage of 56 years in 1964.

When her children were young, Susie loved working with the teenagers and was a faithful choir member at Calvary Baptist Church in Normal. After working at National Bank and then at State Farm for several years, Susie established and ran the Shoemaker Cafe in Towanda. She loved getting to know those who came in to enjoy the home style meals. When they closed the cafe, she went back to State Farm. After retiring from State Farm, Susie volunteered at the Towanda Library. She was an active member of Freedom Baptist Church since 2010 and especially enjoyed helping with the church’s food bank, Jolly Seniors, and ladies’ fellowship. Susie loved to crochet, to play games (especially Dominoes), and to spend time with family and friends. Throughout her cancer journey, Susie shared her love for Jesus with everyone, including her doctors and nurses, until God called her home on March 7, 2021.

Susie was preceded in death by her parents, 4 siblings, 4 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. Susie is survived by her loving husband of 56 years Charles; children: Vicki Belyus of South Carolina, Nancy (Brad) Fairbanks of Florida, and Chuck (Denise) Shoemaker of Virginia; 5 grandchildren: Travis Belyus, Evan (Haley) Fairbanks, Justin Fairbanks, Alexis Miller, and Cara Shoemaker; and 8 siblings.

The viewing will be from 9:00-11:00, Thursday morning, March 11, at Freedom Baptist Church in Bloomington, followed by the funeral at 11:00 with Pastor Vince Kobosh officiating. Interment will follow at East Lawn Memorial Garden.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Freedom Baptist Church where Susie’s desire was for a sign that would draw people to the church to ultimately point people to Jesus.