Obituary: Jean M. (Poore) Shoemaker - Class of 1943

MADISON - Jean M. (Poore) Shoemaker died peacefully on Feb. 24, 2015, surrounded by her children. Jean was born on Jan. 13, 1926, in Otter Creek, Wis., to Elijah and Ruth (Rich) Poore. Jean graduated from Madison Central High School in 1943, and attended nursing school for a semester, which she left to travel to Seattle, Wash., to marry Bill Shoemaker on April 8, 1944. Jean was a true working mother, employed by Eagle Foods as a cashier and head cashier. In her sixties she attended courses in computer literacy and went to work at WPS before her retirement from Great Lakes Higher Education. She was a member of First United Methodist Church for more than 70 years, where she was a dedicated volunteer and made many longtime friendships. She enjoyed traveling, playing golf in her later years, and her game group. Preceding Jean in death was her husband of 68 years, William; parents; and siblings, Mary Alice, Elaine, Sybil and Ed. She is survived by five children, Linda (Bob) Sands, Cindy (Greg) Hinz, Laura (Steve) Meixner, Ruth (Pat) Baier and Dan (Lisa) Shoemaker. Jean was proud grandmother to Pamela (Mike) Capozziello, Debi Sands (Steven Schwenke), Kristin (Scott) Mayer, Ryan Hinz (Austin Bell), Lindsay (Eric) Schmidt, Will (Sara) Meixner, Jeanine (Ben) LaRue, Lauren, Liza and Tess Baier, Spencer Nolden and John and Brooke Shoemaker. She is further survived by great-grandchildren, Ella, Colton, Kadin, Kellin and Gage; and her brother, Dick Poore. Jean's family would like to thank the dedicated staff of Agrace HospiceCare for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare Inc. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2015, from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m., followed directly by a Memorial Service at 11 a.m., at SUN PRAIRIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 702 North St., Sun Prairie, with the Rev. Scott Carlson presiding.

 Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 8, 2015. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).