Roy P. Shumard

1936 - 2015

GALESBURG - Roy P. Shumard, 78, passed away suddenly at his home Tuesday evening, March 10, 2015.
Roy was born in Galesburg to Fred J. and Naomi (Moore) Shumard Delawder on Nov. 9, 1936.
Roy graduated from Galesburg High School in 1955. During his freshman and sophomore years he was active in football, basketball, track (pole vault) and cross country.
He married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Jean Gilson, on June 16, 1956. She survives along with three daughters, Melony (Frank) Cardoza, Lebanon, Missouri, Lori (Mark) Learnard, Georgetown, and Tina Shumard, Las Vegas, Nevada. Other survivors include his sister, Wenona Suhr, Davenport, Iowa; his granddaughter, Melinda Learnard and her husband, Jaxon Dillon-Fish, Astoria, New York; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Leslie Delawder; his brother, Harold Eugene Shumard; and a granddaughter, Jalysa Williams.
Roy started his working career at the former Gale Products and in the fall of 1956 was accepted into their four-year tool and die U.S. government apprenticeship and later his tool designer apprenticeship.
He left Gale Products in October 1965 and went to work at Admiral Corp. as a tool engineer.
Several years later, he became the supervisor for the Tool & Die Department. During that time he was involved in the start of a tool and die apprenticeship program.
In the fall of 1986 Roy went back to the Engineering Department and worked under Jim Kerwan as a manufacturing engineer while they developed the Maytag refrigerator line. He finished his career as a senior manufacturing engineer and retired Jan. 1,1994.
He enjoyed visiting with friends at McDonald's and Hardee's, playing video games, target shooting, playing the clavinova and listening to his favorite singer, Elvis Presley.
Roy had many hobbies, but his favorite was going with Jean to their cabin off the Keithsburg Blacktop and keeping score each summer of the number of catfish he caught on rod and reel. Roy made his own rubber worms and used a Handi Wipe to dry the worm before rebaiting. The neighbor's young daughter thought he had this "magic rag" and that's why he could catch so many fish.
Roy was a former Boy Scout and belonged to the NRA and the Rivole Rifle Club.
He was of the Methodist Faith. He had a great love for his family and for God.
Per his wishes, he will be cremated and there will be no service. A Celebration of Life will be Friday, March 20, 2015, from 4-6 p.m. at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Private burial will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to Choral Dynamics of Galesburg or a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.