John Wesley Shoemaker

John Wesley Shoemaker, 73 of Greenfield, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield.
He was born March 2, 1946, at the Cowan Hospital in Greenfield, to Paul Edmond and Marietta (West) Shoemaker. He 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).
Shoemaker 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, he worked in farm equip- ment parts sales for S&H Farm Supply in Lockwood, MO and prior, wearing many hats, at the Wilkerson Ford Dealership in Ash Grove. Earlier, he worked as parts manager at Garton Equipment in Nevada, and first learned this trade working for Floyd Stephens in Greenfield.
Preceding him in death were his father Paul Shoe- maker, 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; his niece, Melissa (Hailey) Stav and her husband Scott of Springfield; his nephew, Brad Hailey and his wife Amy of Walnut Grove; five great nieces and nephews; aunt Jean West, several cousins he grew up with and loved, and a host of other relatives and friends.
The family received friends Saturday, Sept. 14 from 5-7 p.m. in the Greenfield Funeral Chapel. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019 at Main Street Baptist Church in Greenfield. Burial fol- lowed in Fullington Cemetery northeast of Greenfield.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wash- ington Lodge #87 A.F. & A.M or to Fullington Cemetery Association. Online condolences may be shared at www.greenfieldfuneralchapel.com. Services are under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.