John Wesley Shoemaker

John Wesley Shoemaker, 73 of Greenfield, Missouri, departed this life on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.
He was born on March 2, 1946 at the Cowan Hospital in Greenfield, Missouri, to Paul Edmond and Marietta (West) Shoemaker. He was a boy scout; played catcher in Little League, Pony League and American Legion baseball; spent days playing army and investigating the old lumber yard; started bucking hay bales by the time he was 14; carried out groceries; and worked on a bread delivery truck. John graduated from Greenfield High School in 1964, where he served as student body president his senior year and excelled in football. He went on to play college football at Joplin Junior College and at Missouri State University (SMS).

He was raised in church, accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was baptized as a youth. He taught a boy’s Sunday School class as a young adult. He was a member and active in the Lord’s work at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Greenfield.

John proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War having trained as a medic at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas and was then stationed on Okinawa working in the base’s hospital lab. After his discharge, he worked at St. John’s Regional Health Center (Mercy) in the lab.

For the past several years, John worked in farm equipment parts sales for S&H Farm Supply in Lockwood, Missouri and prior, wearing many hats, at the Wilkinson Ford Dealership in Ash Grove, Missouri. Earlier, he worked as Parts Manager at Garton Equipment in Nevada, Missouri and first learned this trade working for Floyd Stephens in Greenfield. He also worked for the railroad for a period of time.

John belonged to Washington Lodge No. 87. He was a member of Greenfield Chapter No. 38.: Mark Master November 3, 1999; Past Master November 3, 1999; Most Excellent Master November 3, 1999; and Royal Arch November 13, 1999.

He became a dual member of Vincil Chapter No. 110 on June 7, 2007.

He became an Endowed Member of Greenfield Chapter No. 38 on April 9, 2003.

He was also a General Grand Chapter Endowed Member as of October 20, 2011.

He was a member of Carthage Council No. 41: Royal Master November 13, 1999; Select Master November 13, 1999; and Super Excellent Master November 13, 1999.

He was a dual member of Bert S. Lee Council No. 58 on June 7, 2007.

He was a General Grand Council Endowed Member of both Councils as of October 17, 2011.

He demitted from Carthage Council No. 41 on November 16, 2017 to devote more time to Bert S. Lee Council No. 58.

He was a member of Constantine Commandery No. 27: Order of Red Cross November 13, 1999; Order of Malta November 13, 1999; and Order of the Temple November 13, 1999.

John served for many years as the Secretary for Greenfield Chapter No. 38 and Vincil Chapter No. 110. He was the Recorder for Bert S. Lee Council No. 58 for many years. He was also the Recorder for Constantine Commandery No. 27.

At the time of his death, he was serving the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Missouri as the District Deputy Grand High Priest for Region 7A.
John was a member of the Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees in Memorial 420. He was invested on September 10, 2005.

John was a member of the Grand College of America Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests in House of Lords No LXXII (72). He was ordained on June 2, 2012.

John was the Grand Secretary of the Grand Order Sword of Bunker Hill and secretary of his local Ozark Order 109 Sword of Bunker Hill. This Order promoted Patriotism among the Masons that were members of this order.

John was a member and one of the original founders of William Riley Probst Chapel 103 Order of St. Thomas of Acon in Springfield, Missouri.

John was a member of Missouri Priory #17 KYCH.

John was a member and past governor of Ray V. Denslow #180 York Rite College and OPC recipient.

John was a member and secretary of Cell Airne Council #76 Knight Masons.

John was a member of SRIF and Athelstan.

John was a loved member of Queen Esther Conclave #5 Order of True Kindred of the State of Missouri.

As a member of all these fraternities, John’s purpose was to help and serve primarily widows and orphans. John served his fellow brothers in most of these fraternities as secretary at some point and time. He took a personal interest in the Veteran’s Monument on the courthouse lawn when the local lodge took over its maintenance and upkeep. His love and help in these fraternities will be dearly missed by all.

Ever active and on the move, he loved sports! He was a MSU Lady Bears supporter and fan for many years; of late, he and his sister enjoyed games together. He was a St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan and a Kansas City Chiefs football fan. He liked to jug fish with his uncles and cousins, was a good cook, especially fried fish, homemade ice cream, and most recently smoked cheese. He wore out dozens of pairs of athletic shoes walking and exercising for his health.

John served as treasurer for the Dade County Genealogical Society for the past several years. He enjoyed history, was patriotic and believed in defending and safeguarding our freedoms. His love for God, family and country never wavered.

Preceding him in death was his father, Paul Shoemaker; his grandfather, John Marvin West; uncles Robert Shoemaker, Kyle Thomas, Kirby Winfield and John Rex West; aunts, Helen Shoemaker, Geraldine McMasters, Lavernice Witt, Goldie and Janette West; and cousins, Dixie Helvey and Thomas Lee West; and several special friends. Survivors include his loving mother, Marietta Shoemaker and sister, Becky Hailey of Greenfield, Missouri, who adored him; his niece, Melissa (Hailey) Stav and her husband, Scott, of Springfield, Missouri; his nephew, Brad Hailey and his wife, Amy, of Walnut Grove, Missouri; five great nieces and nephews: Justin Stav, Jordan Stav, Tyler Bean, Morgan Hailey, and Aubrey Hailey; Aunt Jean West; several cousins he grew up with and loved, and a host of other relatives and friends. John enjoyed serving others in all paths of his life. He will be greatly missed by many.

Funeral services were held Sunday, September 15, 2019 at Main Street Baptist Church in Greenfield. Burial followed in Fullington Cemetery northeast of Greenfield, a quiet and serene location that he had a personal interest in, keeping the cemetery’s books and volunteering his help.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington Lodge #87 A.F. & A.M or to Fullington Cemetery Association. Online condolences may be shared at www.greenfieldfuneralchapel.com.
Services were under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.