Marvin Lee Shoemaker, 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 19, 2025 at McLaren's Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines with burial following at Resthaven Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time on Friday at McLaren’s.
Marvin was born on March 20, 1940 in Clearfield, Iowa to John M. and Hazel (Brown) Shoemaker. He graduated from Tech high school in 1958. Marvin served in the Iowa National Guard from 1956 to 1966. He worked for the Des Moines Fire Department from 1962 to 1979. He then sold real estate and became owner of Hazel's Drapery Cottage. He then worked at Prairie Meadows, where he later retired as assistant director of security.
Marvin's passion was golfing. He spent countless hours chasing the hole in one that he finally achieved. If he wasn't buying clubs, he was making and selling them, always looking for the perfect putter to sink the ball.
He is survived by his two children, Jeff (Shelley) Shoemaker and Shelby (Jim) Bahr; four grandchildren, Koby, Tommy, Kaleah and Lily; brothers, Rick (Krist) Shoemaker and Dave (Leesa) Shoemaker; sister, Johnnette (Jim) Halverson; and many nieces and nephews. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Elmo; first wife, Joanne; and second wife, Linda.
