Joan Shoemaker, 95, of Pittsburg, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022, at her home.
Joan was born on July 9, 1927, to Earl and Lula (Martin) VanCleave in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from Shawnee Mission High School in 1945 and worked for the Santa Fe Railroad after High School. She met Orville "OL Shu" Shoemaker in 1946 at the Emporia train station as he was returning from active duty with the Army. She married OL Shu on Nov. 1, 1948, in Kansas City, Missouri. The Shoemaker family moved to Pittsburg, KS, in 1967. He preceded her in death on Sept. 20, 1999.
In retirement Joan and OL traveled from Alaska to the Panama Canal and Australia. She often spent time with her coffee group nicknamed the "Langdon Lane Ladies." She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and fellowship group "Ruth's Circle."
She is survived by a daughter, Jan Shoemaker-Clark of Pittsburg; a son, Michael Shoemaker (Mary) of Pittsburg; six grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a brother Jack VanCleave.
Graveside service will be on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Crocker Cemetery with Chaplain Randy Beeman officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Brenner Mortuary in Pittsburg. Memorial donations can be made to Harry Hynes Hospice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg.
