Mary E. Shoemaker-Heard

Mary Elizabeth Shoemaker-Heard, 93, passed away on June 1, 2011, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was born June 27, 1917, in Howard County, Indiana, to Walter and Clara (Tharp) Speck who are both deceased. On June 23, 1939, Mary wed Harold Donald Shoemaker who preceded her in death in 1997. On March 2, 2002, she married Harold Ray Heard who preceded her in death in 2010.

Mary is survived by her son, Dennis, and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, of Colorado Springs; grandson, Mark, and his wife Mary of Merritt Island, Florida; granddaughter, Allison, of Colorado Springs; great-grandchildren, Lauren, Emma, and Maciu; and a sister, Mildred Arnett, of Kokomo, Indiana. She is also survived by her loving step-children, Carol Argiro, H. Roderic Heard, and Bobbie Heard. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Dale and Robert Speck.

Mary grew up in Indiana, the daughter of an itinerant Wesleyan Methodist minister. She graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, attended Owosso College, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University.

As an Air Force chaplain’s wife she lived in Florida, Delaware, Washington, D.C., England, the USAF Academy, Germany, Georgia, and Ohio. Retirement from the Air Force saw them settling in Colorado Springs with continuing ministry at 1st United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Odds & Ends Sunday school class. With her second husband, she continued as a pastor’s wife with ministry in Pahoa, Hawaii.

Visitation will be on Sunday, June 5, 2011, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Swan-Law Funeral Directors. A funeral service of worship will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 6, 2011, at 1st United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs. Private entombment will be with her first husband at the Shrine of Remembrance Mausoleum.

Mary served a life of Christian ministry that touched the lives of many people. It is well with her soul.