OBITUARY
Ronald Keith Shoemaker
November 16, 1938 – July 7, 2020
The Lord of Heaven and Earth came and wrapped his arms around his suffering saint, Ronald Keith Shoemaker, age 81, while he was sleeping and took him to Heaven on July 7, 2020.
Ronald was born on November 16, 1938 in Middletown, Ohio to James Allen Shoemaker and Rosamay (Wilson) Shoemaker.
Ronald graduated from Northwestern High School, Kokomo, IN and joined the United States Navy on July 9, 1958. He was assigned to the Communication Department aboard the USS Randolph CVS-15 stationed in Norfolk, VA. The highlight of his naval career was when his department received an award for "demonstrating excellence in all phases of communication" in 1962 as well as being privileged to meet John H. Glenn, the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth, when Glenn came aboard the Randolph on February 20, 1962.
When Ron's service to this country ended on May 11, 1962, he came home and married the love of his life, Betty Joyce Adams, on Sept. 2, 1962, and she survives.
Ronald worked for Delco/Delphi for 30 years. When he retired in 2006, he had worked in skilled trades as a Tool and Die Maker, Mould Maker, and Model Maker as well as earning an Associate of Science Degree for his trade.
Ronald's greatest joy here on Earth was doing service for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As a Gideon, he enjoyed giving out Bibles at Ivy Tech and IU Kokomo, the Encampment in September, and the Howard County Jail.
His family also brought joy to his life. He is survived by his children, Terry Robert (Suzan) Shoemaker, Lori Ann (David) Denney, and Vicki Shoemaker, daughter-in-law. Grandchildren: Katrina Shoemaker, Kristen (John) Schafer, Jonathan Shoemaker, Alyssa Shoemaker, Eden Shoemaker, Emma Shoemaker, Hope Denny, Grace Denney. Step-grandchildren: Ashley and Amanda Moyer. Sister, Jo Lynn Collins, brother, James (Polly) Shoemaker. He is preceded in death by his son, Timothy Shoemaker, his parents, and sister, Judith Huse.
The family wishes to thank Deborah, Jeni, Molly, and Janelle, nurses for St. Vincent Hospice, Kokomo, for their loving care they gave Ronald during his final hours here on Earth.
Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday, July 12, 2020 at Ellers Mortuary and Cremation Center, 3400 S Webster St., Kokomo, IN 46902. Funeral services will be held at the Mortuary at 1:00pm on Monday July 13, 2020 with Senior Pastor Keith Treadway, of Bible Baptist Church, Kokomo, IN, officiating. Following the service, Ronald will be laid to rest at Albright Cemetery, Kokomo, IN, with military honors provided by the VFW Military Rites Team.
Messages of condolence may be left online at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com
Services
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Time of Visitation
Sunday, July 12, 2020
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Funeral Service with Military Honors
Monday, July 13, 2020
Memories
Ronald Keith Shoemaker
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYJoyce Lawrence
July 12, 2020
Dear Betty & Shoemaker Family, Ron was always friendly & kind to my family at my brother(Jim Snapp) & Linda Snapp's special family occasions that we were invited to. He had a great smile & I know he will be greatly missed. "In God's Hands" Joyce
Charley Werst
July 11, 2020
Ron,
Thanks for the friendship we had through the church. You always asked how I was doing and I felt that you really wanted to know. That forever Smile on your face will be missed but I know that someday I'll get to see it when we meet again.
Charley
Brent Osborne
July 11, 2020
Betty, JoLynn & Jim: So very sorry to hear about Ron. I will always remember the trips you made to our farm in Ohio and the trips we made to Indiana. Always a great time with our cousins.
Love, Brent & Vicki Osborne
Malcolm Sands
July 11, 2020
Dear Terry and Shoemaker Family. I’m sorry for your loss. I remember Mr. Shoemaker giving me rides home from wrestling practice and he gave me nice encouragement also.
I enjoyed your Family video and pictures. I can relate to the thrill of white water rafting all of you did. Me Shoemaker will be missed but not forgotten.
Sincerely, Malcolm Samds
David Long
July 11, 2020
Ron is a good man. Ron is a good friend. Ron worked at Taylor Community School Corporation and mowed grass around all our facilities, sports fields, and large areas of grass in the north area as well as our solar field. His work was exceptional. He came to work each day with a plan in his head and would stay until he was done.
I especially enjoyed some time in conversation and he would pray for me sometimes as we took to the shade in the bus barn. Sometimes he would look me up during the day to see how I was doing. We would talk a bit and he would return to mowing to finish his day. I will miss him, but I will see him again in heaven.
David Long Jr.
David Denney
July 10, 2020
I will always think of Ron as my second father. He was willing to help and give advice when I needed it. My family and I will miss him dearly.
Conny Cain
July 10, 2020
Betty and Family,
Tim and I are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. I will always remember Ron as the "well dressed man" at church who always snuck me a piece of chocolate! You both were a delight to me and Ron will be missed. - Tim & Conny Cain
Dan and Nancy Carney
July 10, 2020
Prayers for Ron's family.
I worked with Ron in the Model Technology Center at Delphi.
Nancy and Dan Carney