John Shoemaker

WEBSTER- John Shoemaker, 47 of Webster died on Friday, November 2, 2018 near Bradley. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Friday November 9, 2018 at the Webster Armory; Rev. Mike DeKraai of St. John’s Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday 5-7 P.M. at the Webster Armory closing with a 7 P.M. prayer service. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials directed to Webster 20/20 Inc., Shoemaker Memorial Fund, 513 Main St., Webster, SD 57274. John Edward Shoemaker was born on December 21, 1970 to Roger and Marie (Tvinnereim) Shoemaker in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He was baptized at the United Methodist Church in Aberdeen in 1971. In 1972 the family moved to Redfield. In 1976, when John was six years old, the family moved to Webster where he attended Webster Public School and graduated from high school in 1989. During junior high and high school years he was very active in school plays, band, chorus, madrigal, swing choir, jazz band and All State Chorus. He loved to play his tenor saxophone and did many instrumental and vocal solos. One of his favorite achievements was traveling around Europe with a musical chorus. He also participated in wrestling, basketball and football. Following high school John attended S.D.S.U. in Brookings where he was a member of the Statesmen Chorus which allowed him to travel to many different states. In 1992 he returned to Webster and joined his grandfather, Russell and father, Roger Shoemaker in the family owned business, Webster Scale, Inc. On October 7, 2000 he was united in marriage to Angela Gross at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster. To this union three beautiful children were born, Faith, Cade and Trace and a stepson, Baron Yexley. The couple continued to live in Webster and work in the family business. He became a Registered Scale Service Technician in four states, and then the business ventured into road building. He was a finish motor grader operator. John loved to teach new employees how to operate equipment. He, along with his brother, Joel was engaged in some ranching and also raised Red Angus Cattle. John is a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where he was confirmed and was active in youth activities. He was a choir member from first grade through his senior year in high school. John enjoyed High League activities and even gave the sermon for the Easter sunrise services. He was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. John enjoyed hunting with friends, horseback riding, snowmobiling, gardening, canning, boating and teaching his kids, nieces and nephews how to waterski. He loved to cook and devour his own creations. John was an avid supporter of his children’s academic and sporting activities, as well as his nieces and nephews. One of his greatest triumphs was passing his flight training test within 31 days. He owned a 210 Cessna of which he was very proud. Aviation was John’s true passion. He thrived on taking others up in the air. He was a member of the AGC Board where he was vice president elect, He received the W award in 2017 from Webster Area Development Corporation, he also served on the L.A.T.I. board. John always had a hearty laugh, a firm handshake and a toothpick behind his ear! John passed away on November 2, 2018 near Bradley, South Dakota at the age of 47 years, 10 months and 12 days. Surivors include his wife, Angela of Webster; his children, Faith, Cade and Trace of Webster, SD; stepson, Baron Yexley of Clark, SD; his mother and step-father, Marie (Dennis) Johnson of Webster, SD; his father and step-mother, Roger (Teresa) Shoemaker of Webster, SD; one brother, Joel (Alyssa) Shoemaker of Webster, SD; a sister-in-law, Charla Shoemaker of Webster; his father-in-law and mother in-law, Lester and Darlene Gross, and two brothers-in-law, Jeremy Gross, and Lance (Jessica) Gross all of Franklin, AR; his paternal grandfather, Russell Shoemaker and his maternal grandfather, Donald Tvinnereim both of Webster, SD; step-sisters, Debbie (Mark) Loe and Robin Jacobson; step-brother, Aaron Whitney; step-sister, Amber (Will) Fish; step brothers, Aaron (Sarah) Johnson, Matthew (Mel) Johnson and Ben (Nichole) Johnson; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jason, paternal grandmother, Doris Shoemaker and maternal grandmother, Winefred Tvinnereim.