James Louis Shoemaker passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on July 12, 2022. Jim attended and graduated from Tamaroa Grade and High Schools in Perry County, IL. He was in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955 serving land and sea duty. In 1959, he graduated with honors from the Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, MO (MSM-UMR) with a BS in Civil Engineering. He was accepted into the Chi Epsilon Honor Fraternity. After graduation, Jim was employed by the Illinois Department of Transportation in Effingham, IL. In 1963, he accepted a position with Arrow Road Construction Company, Centralia Division. This was the beginning of his career in the private construction industry. He received his Professional Engineer’s License in 1964. Jim was subsequently employed with Southern Illinois Asphalt Company for two years. In 1977, he started a company, General Contractors, Inc., which primarily contracted asphalt paving and related items for private and government agencies. Jim retired in 2000 and sold General Contractors to Howell Paving of Mattoon, IL. The company continues to operate in the area to this day.
Jim served on the Board of Directors of Hudelson Baptist Children’s Home of Centralia, as an Ambassador for MSM-UMR and on the Math Task Force for Kaskaskia College. He also served on the Salvation Army Board, the IAPA Board of Directors, the Ambraw Chapter of Professional Engineers and the Governor’s Task Force of Rural Illinois. In 1994, Jim received the MSM-UMR Entrepreneurial Award for alumni who have founded successful companies. He was a member of the Centralia VFW and American Legion.
Jim was a member of First Baptist Church of Centralia and the Fellowship Sunday School Class since 1963. He served the church as an officer and on many boards and committees. In his younger years, he especially enjoyed playing on the First Baptist Church Softball Team in the Centralia Men’s Slo-Pitch League.
Jim loved being outdoors. He always had a dog by his side who was devoted to him. He loved airplanes and, when he was in his 70’s, he got his pilot’s license and bought a plane. Jim was an original supporter of the Centralia Balloon Fest and a partner in the special-shape “Arky” balloon.
The family would like to thank the many amazing caregivers and sitters that assisted with Jim’s care over the past several months. You are an amazing group of people!
Funeral Services for James “Jim” L. Shoemaker will be held Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Centralia with Dr. Brian High and Rev. Rodger Randolph officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday from 9:00 AM until the time of service at the church. A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the Antioch Cemetery in Tamaroa, Illinois. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Centralia and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Shoemaker Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook Page.
He married Wilma Hottes in DuQuoin, IL on March 26, 1955, and she survives him as well as a sister, Joan Emling. He has a daughter Brenda (Don) Benton and son James A. (Lisa) Shoemaker and five grandchildren: Justin (Deana) Shoemaker, Brandon Shoemaker, Jessi (Jason) Book, Donovan (Esther) Benton and Niklas Shoemaker and special friend Ceirra Moxley. Great Grandchildren include: Logan Shoemaker, Jack Shoemaker, Emery Book, Elias Book, Ensley Book, Walter Benton, Megan (Travis) Klotz, Jamie Redman, Sydney Redman and fiancé Hunter Gammon and “bonus” Great Granddaughters Carly Arnoldy and Eryn Starr. Great Great Grandchildren are Elsie Klotz, Hadley Klotz, Reis Carter and Ledger Simonton and numerous nieces and nephews.
James Louis Shoemaker was born on September 1, 1932, to Perry Earl and Flo Lee (Taylor) Shoemaker in Tamaroa, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Ruth Huffstutler and Earline House, and one brother, Cloyd Shoemaker.
