Paul Shoemaker

Paul Frank Shoemaker, the son of Frank W. and Laura E. (Hudson) Shoemaker was born on November 5, 1930, in Belleville. Paul went to be with Jesus on April 30, 2020, at the Republic County Hospital in Belleville, at the age of 89 years, 5 months and 25 days.

Paul grew up on his parent’s farm near Narka and graduated from Narka Rural High School in 1948. Following high school, Paul attended Bethany College before he was drafted into the United States Army on August 1, 1952, at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Paul served his country proudly, and was honorably discharged on August 1, 1954, with the rank of CPL Military Personnel Specialist, Ft. Riley, Kansas.

Paul then returned home to Narka and married Sylvia E. Kadavy on August 14, 1954, at the Munden Methodist Church. To this union of more than 65 years, two children were born, Lori and Lester.

Paul was active in his community as a member of the Belleville Central Christian Church. He enjoyed singing Gospel music, and was a member of the Republic County Men’s Barbershop Chorus and Area Messiah Chorus. He was an active member of the Belleville and Cuba American Legions. Paul was also a founding member and chairman of the Republic County Rural Water District #2. He had a passion for youth sports and could be found refereeing area high school and Junior College basketball and football games.   He was a charter member of the Narka 4-H Club and was the first President. He was a leader in both the Narka and Munden 4-H Clubs.

Paul was a farmer and stockman his entire life and along with Sylvia, was designated KSU Extension Class of 2002 Master Farmer & Master Homemaker. He worked 43 years as the Narka Postmaster.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors are his wife Sylvia of the home, daughter Lori Shoemaker of Narka, son Lester Shoemaker and his wife Kay of Munden. Grandchildren Lacie Clarke and her husband John of Holcomb, Kansas; Lane Shoemaker of Chester, Nebraska; Marti Terronez of Belle Plaine, Kansas; and great-granchildren Nicholas Terronez, Alivia Terronez, Josie Terronez and Nadia Munoz. Paul is also survived by his brother Marvin Shoemaker and his wife Donna of Belleville, and his sister Margaret Baetz of Branson, Missouri.

Cremation was chosen. Friends may sign the register book at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home on Friday, June 12, 2020, from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Private family services will be held at Ida Cemetery, rural Munden.

Memorials are requested to Republic County Hospital Physical Therapy Department, Belleville Central Christian Church or the North Central Health Care Foundation for Physician Recruitment,  and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home assisted the Shoemaker family with these arrangements, www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com