Obituaries

William A. Shoemaker, 87

William A. Shoemaker, 87, died Friday, February 12, 2010, at St. Anne’s Retirement Community. He and his wife Caroline E. Klingseisen Shoemaker marked their 65th wedding anniversary on December 14th.

He was born in and lived most of his life in Lancaster, the son of the late Cyril Ardele Shoemaker and Isabel Conlin Shoemaker Baublitz. William was a 1941 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School. He was a sheet metal worker for over 40 years, having last worked for the former Kirchoff, Inc., in Lancaster.

William served in the Navy in the South Pacific with the 7th Fleet onboard the destroyer USS Hutchins. A Water Tender 2nd Class, he took part in support troop landings at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, where the destroyer was hit by a kamikaze launch and had to be towed to Pearl Harbor for repairs.

He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, where he sang in the choir. William was a former member of the Knights of Columbus and its choir and he played tuba in the former Conestoga Reynolds Band. He enjoyed model railroading and was a member of AARP.

In addition to his wife Caroline, William is survived by five daughters, Patricia Shoemaker, MD of Allentown, Carolyn, wife of David Brown of Lancaster, Barbara, wife of Larry Imhoff of Lititz, Mary Ellen, wife of Jere Knosp of Brownstown and Nancy, wife of Douglas Pachucki, Esq. of Wind Lake, WI; one son, Thomas, husband of Meryl Schmidt Shoemaker of Mount Wolf; twelve grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and two nieces. His sister Jeanne Layendecker preceded William in death.

The Funeral will take place on Thursday, February 18th at 2 PM at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., 441 N. George St., Millersville, PA, with The Rev. Daniel Mitzel officiating. A Viewing will take place on Thursday at the funeral home from 1-2 PM. Interment in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Contributions may be made in William’s memory to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 501 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA 17602 or to St. Anne’s Retirement Community, 3952 Columbia Ave., Columbia, PA 17512. To send the family online condolences please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com

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Dear Family, I am sorry to hear about your loved one. May he rest in peace.
   My deepest sympathy to all.
 Peace and love, Shirley L Ludwig   Heather and Andrew’s grandmom

Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
To the Brown family – love you all so much!!!
Jen Kirk

Dear Aunt Lena & all the Family:
   Bill & I are so sorry to hear of Uncle Shoey’s passing.  We hope that when you are over the pain of his loss only the love and fond memories will remain.
Love, Theresa & Bill Z.

To a beloved neighbor for many years…..you were the first family to welcome us to Dahlia Road and alway were there for us when needed.
MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL and we offer the family our sincere sympathy.
BARBARA, JOHN, KAREN & JILL DRYBRED

Dear Pat and family, I am truly sorry to hear about your loss. I am sure you have many fond memories that will never be forgotten.  Continue the strength he instilled in all of you.
Sincerely,
Renee Morrow-Connelly (ABC Family Pediatricians)

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May you cherish your loving memories forever.
Nancy Elliott

Dear Jere and Mary Ellen and family,

I was saddened to hear of your father and beloved’s passing from this earth. I know you will miss him dearly and it is with a heavy heart for you that I write this. Regretfully I am unable to attend the services today due to other obligations, but I want you to know you are ALL in my thoughts and prayers and I will be lifting you up to our heavenly father during this difficult time of loss and especially today at the service.

Your friend and sister in Christ,
Debbie Matthews

To Barbara Shoemaker:
I’m sorry to hear about your Dad.  I remember them very well even from grade school. 
Sincerely,
Terry (Pegoretti) Shelly

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