OBITUARY

Ronald Keith Shoemaker

November 16, 1938 – July 7, 2020
Play Tribute Movie
×
Tribute Video

Ronald Keith Shoemaker

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

SEND FLOWERS Add a
Memory Receive
Notifications

Services

  • Time of Visitation

    Sunday, July 12, 2020

  • Funeral Service with Military Honors

    Monday, July 13, 2020

Receive
Notifications Show Your
Support

Memories

Ronald Keith Shoemaker

have a memory or condolence to add?

ADD A MEMORY
Anonymous .

November 17, 2020

Looking back as to remembering life, I can remember when my parents pulled the blinds over the windows and turn out the lights when we heard a siren sounds so our enemy could not see our town for a target.
I could remember playing in our front yard throwing a ball to each other, riding my bicycle in the driveway and the street out front, jumping off the garage, running a nail my foot, raising rabbits, swinging on the swing, climbing a ladder that was left standing on the house, driving nails in a corner post at the gate at the end of the driveway, throwing a boomerang and would return back to me, rolling out of the top bunkbed with blankets and pillows to see what would happen and sleeping their till morning and it didn't hurt, and doing stunts on my bike. By the way, dad made my bicycle from a copy of an old wooden framed bicycle the neighbor made across the street.
I walked to school almost every morning, four blocks backwards, the neighbors would watch me every morning play Jacks and Marbles game and would win by share most of the time.
I walked to a small corner grocery store for candy, suckers, jumping beans, and go with mom for milk, bread, sugar, cereal, ad what we needed. There was an ice-cream truck that would stop and sell ice cream, popsicles, and more.

Nancy .

November 17, 2020

Dearest Betty,
My love and my thoughts and my prayers are with you. Keep listening to the uplifting music. It is so healing.
I think Ron really wanted to visit Tucson to see my "rock yard". No grass! Quote a change from green Indiana.
I could never leave Arizona's magnificent mountains. I lift up my eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.
When Ron and I were much younger, I was supposed to watch Ron, Judy, and Jimmy. This was in Middletown, Ohio before Jo Lynn was born. My mom, Josephine Wilcox, and Rose Shoemaker, her niece, whom they considered themselves sisters (they were so close) went shopping together. They left me in charge to supervise. Ron is the one who educated me. He proceeded to urinate in the front yard instead of going inside to the bathroom. I was shocked, he was amused.
Love you and all your wonderful family.

James Shoemaker

November 17, 2020

Ode to Ron-
When Ron and I were growing up, we had "fun" as kids. A lot of hard work on the farm, but also time for play! One thing I especially remember is playing in the creek that wasn't far from the house. One day, we were having fun in the water. The creek was rather high. I can't remember exactly how I needed help but I was in "deep" water, didn't knw how to swim, and afraid. Ronnie yelled, "Hang on! I'll get the Jeep and pull you out." What I hung on to I don't know. But he came flying with the Jeep & rope. He threw the rope to me and dragged me from the creek all the way as I was under water. Crazy kids! So I guess I would say he saved my life. But not my fear of "deep" water. We also liked going to the $0.25 outdoor monies. We would have money for treats afterwards and go to the local store and enjoy the rest of the evening. Imagine, $0.25 movie & $0.01 candy. Those were the days! There were many other good times to remember. I will grieve and be sad but I know he is with the Lord. The Lord will give us all the peace and comfort we need. Hold onto Him!! I know Ron's at the feet of Jesus. No better place to be.

Hope Denney

November 16, 2020

My memory of Grandpa is when I was in fifth grade during Christmas break when we went to see Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel in theaters. I rode in Grandma's car with Grace, Emma, and Alyssa and Grandpa, Emma and Alyssa kept saying, "Hey Grandma, Grandpa is a kid," and Grandpa said, "No, I'm not!" and Grace and I fed into it and we said, "Grandpa is a kid," and Grandpa said, "No I'm not a kid," and Alyssa, Grace, Emma and I laughed our heads off and Grandma said, "You're right girls. Grandpa is a kid," and Grandpa said, "No I'm not," and Alyssa, Grace and I laughed our heads off again. Grandpa wasn't angry, he was just messing around. I also remember Grandpa telling a bunch of jokes and I remember at Wabash City Park when Grandma, Grace and I would sit down on that big swing and Grandpa would push us on that big swing and when Grandpa pushed us higher, Grandma would say, "Ronnie, that's enough!" and Grandpa pushed us higher again and Grandma would say, "Ronnie, I said that's enough! You're gonna make me sick!" and Grandpa would say, "Betty, its fun going super high!" and Grandma said, "No, it is not! Now stop it, Ronnie!" and I was chuckling and laughing my head off because of Grandpa pushing us really high on the swing. Rest in peace, Grandpa.

Dave Denney

November 16, 2020

I will never forget the first time I met Ron. I was on a blind date with his daughter Lori, brother, cousin and their spouses. He answered the door when I knocked and there was that big grin. Little did I know that he had been praying for Lori to find the one she would marry and he saw the answer to his prayer. I do not say that egotistically but, rather that I realized later that he knew when he saw what God had given Lori. From that moment on, I had another father with me. When my Dad could not be there, I could count on Ron. Whether it was manual labor, advice, or just to help us with the kids, he did everything he could to help. More importantly, he taught me how to be a loyal husband and father. If there ever was a picture of loyalty it was Ron Shoemaker. He had a great sense of humor and always knew how to get out of a pickle from Betty. He most of all taught me what a man of God was to be. He not only talked the talk but he walked the walk. He made sure his kids and grandkids knew that God was to be first in the family and faith in Jesus Christ was to be at the forefront of that family. He loved us all unconditionally and never met a stranger. I would be more sad, but I know he is not hurting anymore. He had an attitude during his fight with cancer that it may take his life, but it would not take his loving soul. God speed, Ron. Until we meet again, "Well done my good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23

Grace Denney

November 16, 2020

I have too many amazing memories of my grandpa to count. From the time we went fishing to the time when we went to the fall festival down at Long Lake. I have too many to choose from, buy my fondest memory was of the amazing man he was. He was a kind and caring soul. Someone who I looked up to. Someone who I felt safe around. The thing I admired most about him was his faith in Jesus and the respect and loyalty he showed for his savior. I remember he gave me a necklace that had a little sword on it. It's a reminder to me to be brave and I honestly have no idea why I have forgotten it for so long. He was an inspiration to me that I will never forget.

Alyssa Shoemaker

November 16, 2020

A couple of Christmases ago, I walked into my grandma and grandpa's house and was warmly welcomed by the aroma of dinner and the smiling faces of my grandparents. Grandpa walked over to me, and he showed that he made one of my favorite desserts: lemon cake. Grandpa would always make this special dish for us on our birthdays and Christmas for everyone to enjoy. After I ate the Christmas dinner, I got myself a hot cup of coffee and savored the sweet, fluffy lemon cake that was coated thoroughly in the best part: the lemon icing! Then, my mom, cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings and I listened to my grandpa read the Christmas story from the Bible. As he soothingly read the Bible, my siblings and I snuggled together. This special tradition that grandpa began helped us focus on the real reason why we celebrate Christmas: God sent His Son to earth to save us from our sins so that we can enjoy eternity with Him forever. Grandpa always emphasized to us that Jesus is who should be at the center of our hearts and how we should follow Him together as a family. This special memory is one that I will hold onto and be reminded of my grandpa's love for God and his family. One day, I look forward to seeing him again and celebrating Jesus together as a family for eternity.

Jonathan Shoemaker

November 16, 2020

Grandpa always enjoyed doing something special for each of us grandchildren, and one summer when I was a kid grandpa wanted to take me fishing. I always loved learning new things, and I was curious about the process. Before we went fishing, grandpa and I went shopping to buy night-crawlers. Night-crawlers are like bigger versions of earthworms, and we were going to use them to bait the fish. Then, very early in the morning, mom packed me and Grandpa a few gatorades in a cooler, along with some snacks, and Grandpa took me to his friend's private pond. He let us fish for free as long as we released our catches back into the water. After Grandpa and I found the spot where we wanted to fish, he showed me how to bait the fishing hooks with one third of a night-crawler. I still remember how slimy the night-crawlers were, but they were coarse enough to hold onto the hook well enough to lure the fish. As Grandpa and I worked together to catch more fish, we switched from a static bobber to a spinner lure, and this raised our level of success in catching the fish. In the time between catching fish, we talked about my schooling and the newest games that I enjoyed. It was fun learning and talking with Grandpa, and I liked how we used patience, problem-solving, and teamwork. As I look back and remember, I will always value these lessons that he passed down to me, and I look forward to seeing him again one day in heaven.

Kristen Shoemaker

November 16, 2020

When we were younger, my grandpa wanted to do something special for me and my older sister, Katie, while we were still on summer break. We were discussing places to go out to eat when he asked me if I had ever been to the Eagle's Nest in Indianapolis. After he told me about the Eagle's Nest, my sister and I instantly knew we had to go. On that day, we wore our pretty day dresses, and we felt like we were so grown-up going to such a nice place to eat. As we walked to the venue, we enjoyed looking around and seeing the skyscrapers and the monument circle. When we arrived, we were in awe by the incredible 360-degree view of the downtown area at sunset. At this age, I was normally afraid of heights, but because of the beautiful view and my fascination with the turning dining area, I was able to feel comfortable and at ease. As we enjoyed the savory meal that consisted of a steak, garlic mashed potatoes, and steamed veggies, we had discussed what we are looking forward to at school and listened to grandpa tell us about the different buildings that we could see from the Eagle's Nest. After we stuffed ourselves with the delicious meal, we leisurely walked back to the car together and drove home. Looking back to this special adventure with my grandpa, I know that my grandpa loved us very much, and I knew that he is right now enjoying being with Jesus and the beauty of heaven.

Katrina Shoemaker

November 16, 2020

Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I loved horses, and I remember telling grandpa about my summer camp experience. I told him about galloping through the trails, learning to ride bareback, and learning both the Western and English riding styles. After hearing me rant and rave, grandpa got a glimmer of an idea in his eye and expressed his desire to take me to Turkey Run to go horseback riding with me. To make the day trip extra special, he took me shopping and got me an adorable straw cowgirl hat and a pair of cream embroidered, chestnut leather boots to wear. Grandpa signed us up for the 2-hour horseback riding session at the park on that warm summer day. As we sat waiting under the trees, we discussed which horse we hoped to get and drank some cold Gatorade. As the guide lead us to the horses, I remember being assigned to an older horse that walked at a slow, leisurely pace. I still vividly remember grandpa's laugh when I had to make the poor old horse trot to catch up with the others. Even so, we had fun talking to the guide about the horses, making jokes, and being on the trails together. When I close my eyes, I can still feel the warm, summer breeze rustling through the leaves, the horses' hooves snapping small twigs on the beaten dirt trail, and looking over my shoulder to see grandpa smiling back at me. His love for me, for my siblings, my cousins, my aunts and uncles has always been apparent through his effort in spending time with us and thus creating some special memories. In this particular memory, I am gratefully reminded of the hope Christ gives us when our journeys on this trail of life ends, and we get to see our loved ones again at the gates of heaven. Thus instead of saying goodbye to my grandpa today, I will say, "See you soon," and hold onto the precious memories, alike this one, until I see him again.

FROM THE FAMILY

Ron and Betty on Ferris Wheel July 17, 2015

FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY