Dwight L. Shoemaker

Dwight L. Shoemaker

February 15, 1943 - November 20, 2023

Dwight L. Shoemaker, 80, of Aledo, passed away Monday, November 20, 2023, at Advocate Condell Hospital in Libertyville, IL.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Aledo. Burial is in the Aledo Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM prior to the services at the church.

Memorials may be left to Mercer County Schools Excellence in Education Foundation.

Fippinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and online condolences can be made at fippingerfuneralhome.com.

Dwight was born on February 15, 1943, in Davenport, IA, to Clarence and Opal Yerkey Shoemaker. He was salutatorian of his graduating class in 1961, at Aledo High School. Dwight

continued his studies at the University of Illinois, where he was a member of Delta Upsilon, graduating in 1965. Following his father's path into law, he attended Washington University in

St. Louis receiving his Juris Doctor Degree in 1968. He served in the Illinois National Guard for six years, attending officer candidate school and being commissioned Second Lieutenant.

He married Sharon Anderson on June 17, 1967, at the Episcopal Church in Moline, IL. After clerking and practicing in the St. Louis area for two years after graduation, they moved to Galesburg, IL, where Dwight accepted a position as Assistant State's Attorney in Knox County from 1970-1972. Drawn back to his hometown, he opened the law firm of Conway-Shoemaker

with Martin Conway in 1972 until 1985, when he became sole practitioner. He practiced in Aledo for 50 years without "officially" retiring, which is how he preferred to go out. Running the practice for five decades was made possible by his patient and loyal secretary, Janie Patten.

Dwight served as city attorney for Aledo and represented the New Boston-Eliza Fire Protection District for many years. His passion for education and the community led to his serving on the Aledo School Board and then being elected President of the first consolidated Mercer County School Board in 2008.

While law was truly his lone "hobby," he loved the annual trips to the Amana's, skiing in Keystone and the cool summer air on Woman Lake in Longville, MN. Partnering with his brother, Blaine, to form Angus Acres was a source of pride and connection to his childhood love showing Angus cattle. Never one to back down from any disagreement, he relished long conversations on everything from sports to politics. His roaring laugh and booming voice echoed throughout many rooms. Although reserved, he truly loved and cherished his family and the many friendships he formed throughout the years.

Those left to cherish his memory include his sons: Justin Shoemaker of St. Paul, MN, Ryan (Amy) Shoemaker of Lake Bluff, IL; grandchildren: Annika Shoemaker of Hastings, MN, Jackson, Zachary and Alexandra Shoemaker of Lake Bluff, IL; sister-in-law: Tony Shoemaker of Oklahoma City, OK; nieces: Gwen (Alan) Neimann of Oklahoma City, OK, and Amy (Jim) Martin of Dallas, TX; sister-in-law, Sue Lehrer of North Richland Hills, TX; nephew, Mark (Kristie) Lehrer of Keller, TX. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; and brother, Blaine.