Shoemaker .-Joseph S., eldest son of Benjamin and Veronica (Shellenberger) Shoemaker, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 1, 1854; died at his home in Dakota, Ill., Feb. 6, 1936; age 82 y, 5 d. In 1855 the family moved to near Covington, Otis, and in the fall of 1863 they moved to Stephenson Co. Ill. Here he spent the remainder of his life. Dec. 6, 1887, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Brubaker, who preceded him in death Sept. 25, 1931. To this union were born 3 sons and 6 daughters: Mrs. A. L. Buzzard, Goshen, Ind.; Edwin, Arthur, Mrs.Bertha Sieber, and Mrs. Louella Sanders of Dakota, Ill.; Mrs. W. F. Unzicker, Freeport, Ill.; Mrs. A. E. Kreider, Newton, Kans.; Fannie E. Mumaw, Charles B.., Scottdale, Pa. As a young man Bro. Shoemaker was converted, united with the Mennonite Church, and continued faithful until death. He was ordained to the ministry in June, 1892, and on Dec. 17, 1902, he was ordained a bishop. From the beginning of his Christian life he took an active interest in the service of the Lord. As a minister and bishop he served faithfully as an overseer, as an evangelist, as an instructor in Bible conferences, as a leader in the various activities of the Church; at all times a faithful expounder of the faith. In official life he served frequently as a member of important committees, as a moderator (and sometimes secretary) of conferences; he served for a short time as President of the Mennonite Evangelizing and Benevolent Board, and for many years as Secretary of the Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities. When the Mennonite Publication Board was organized in 1908 he was chosen President of the Board, in which capacity he served faithfully until a few years ago, when because of declining health, he requested to be relieved. Personally and officially he was well beloved, and the vacancies caused by his death will be hard to fill. He was fluent with the pen as well as with the tongue. He wrote frequently for our church periodicals, was editor of our Advanced Lesson Quarterly for several years, and was the author of a valuable book on "The Ideal Home." He is also the author of a number of hymns, to some of which he also wrote the music. He had been in robust health until he was about 75, when he began to fail. He gradually grew weaker and weaker until finally he closed his eyes in death. He leaves 3 sons, 5 daughters, 2 brothers (George and C. C. Shoemaker), 2 sisters (Mrs. J. V. Fortner and Mrs. Emma Meek), 28 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends to mourn their loss.
Funeral services were conducted Feb. 10 at the home and at Freeport Mennonite Church by Simon Graybill, S. C. Yoder, and Daniel Kauffman. Burial in adjoining cemetery. Text, Psa. 116:15.
Gospel Herald, February 20, 1936 - Vol. XXVIII, No.47 - page 1006, 100