Dennis W. Shoemaker

Dennis W. Shoemaker, 70, of Mertztown, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer. He was the husband of Kris A. (Oswald) Shoemaker, whom he married on October 1, 1977.

Born in Allentown, Dennis was the son of Ruby C. (Romig) Shoemaker, a resident of The Lutheran Home at Topton, and the late Harold P. Shoemaker, who passed in 2009. Dennis graduated from Brandywine Heights High School in 1972. As a skilled carpenter, Dennis spent 10 years with P&R Solt Sawmill & General Contractor in Mertztown, 15 years with Norwood Construction in Allentown, and another 15 years with Coopersburg Construction Corp., until retiring in 2013. Among all the projects he tackled, his proudest was building his own family's home & pond in Longswamp Township.

As an avid hunter, Dennis was a member of the NRA and various local sportsmen clubs. He was also a founding member and the longtime President of Schmidt's Hill Hunting Lodge, where the friendships ran deep and the stories ran long. He was a lifelong Philly sports fan, and cheered for both the Phillies and the Eagles. He might have been one of the last men who still carried a handkerchief in his pocket.

Above all, Dennis was a devoted husband, a proud father, and a loving "Poppa" to his grandchildren. In addition to his wife of nearly 50 years, Kris, and Mother, Ruby, Dennis is survived by his two daughters, Marci N. (Shoemaker), wife of Jason Werley and Megan S. (Shoemaker), wife of Jason Rivkin; two grandchildren, Reese and Leah Rivkin; and along with his father, was predeceased by his two brothers, David Shoemaker and Ronald Shoemaker.

A memorial service to celebrate and honor Dennis's life will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown, PA, with his brother-in-law, Daniel Reeves officiating. Burial will follow in Topton Union Cemetery, Topton, PA. Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing on Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Dennis's memory to The Kutztown Hobos, P.O. Box 812, Kutztown, PA 19530 or Friends of Brandywine, P.O. Box 85, Mertztown, PA 19539, to help benefit the greater Kutztown and Topton communities.

Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., Kutztown, PA is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting Dennis's obituary tribute page at www.Ludwickfh.com.