Richard Shoemaker served as a Riley Township trustees for 12 years
Richard "Dick" Wayne Shoemaker, 95, died Dec. 15, 2020, at the Heritage in Findlay. Dick was born May 18, 1925, in Pandora to the late George and Naomi (Crawford) Shoemaker. On Sept. 17, 1949, he married Ruth Burkholder Shoemaker who survives.
Dick graduated from Pandora High School and served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a life-long farmer and a member of the Grace Mennonite Church in Pandora. Dick was a Riley Township Trustee for 12 years and a member of the Defiance Auto Club. He had a passion for anything that had wheels and a motor including his own antique cars and tractors.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Shoemaker of Pandora: two children, Karla (Dave) Westall of Lima, James (Sharon) Shoemaker of Bluffton; one granddaughter, Kendra (Matt) Lugibihl; six step grandchildren, Aaron (Melody) Schmutz, Jessica Robinson, Jonica Schmutz, Heidi (Bryan) Waldock, Drew (Michelle) Westall, Shauna (Derek) Welch; three great-grandchildren; nine step great-grandchildren; a sister, Marilyn Beckler of Bluffton and many nieces and nephews.
Dick was preceded in death by a son, Kent Shoemaker; an infant daughter; a brother, Ralph Shoemaker and two sisters, Ruth Williams and Esther Luginbuhl.
Private services will be held. Burial will be in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Pandora.
Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity or to the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton, is handling the arrangements.
Stories Posted This Week
Monday, August 31, 2026
Sunday, August 30, 2026
- Vickie Diane Little was a registered nurse
- Nancy Ann Wheeler Andrews worked for First Federal Savings and Loan
- Donor generosity powers Bluffton U technology upgrade
- Pirates girls soccer blanked by Sylvania
- Pirate volleyball drops 2 in close tri-match
- Pirate cross country opens Fall 2026 at DSJ Invite
- Back to School Days at Bluffton Public Library
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Friday, August 28, 2026
Thursday, August 27, 2026
- One seriously injured in Union Township crash
- President Sider introduces Reinvest, Reinvent, Reimagine framework in State of the University
- Bluffton girls tennis loss vs. Wapakoneta
- Pirate volleyball sweeps Rockets
- EMS Chief Noah Babcock is Sept. 1 Bluffton Lions speaker
- Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology): Air pollution and rheumatoid arthritis