EDWARD R. "BUTCH" SHOEMAKER SR.

1942 - 2021

"There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone the light remains" - Author unknown

PHILIPSBURG - Edward R. "Butch" Shoemaker, Sr. passed away peacefully on Nov. 5, 2021, at Mt. Nittany Medical Center, State College, at the age of 79.

Butch was born on April 17, 1942, in Camden, N.J., to the late Edward S. and Marjorie (Bryant) Shoemaker.

On Aug. 19, 1962, he married the love of his life, the former Winifred Elaine Mackey. Butch and Winnie enjoyed 59 years together in faith, love and lifelong commitment to each other and their families.

Butch spent 46 years working for the I.B.E.W. Local Union 1319. Butch served many roles through his career with the IBEW and in 2005 he retired as a general foreman.

Butch enjoyed life to the fullest and always greeted everyone with a warm smile, inviting handshake and joke to make you laugh. Although Butch enjoyed beach trips with his children, hunting, fishing, playing horseshoes at the annual Shoemaker tournament, cheering for Penn State, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Pirates and going on casino trips, his favorite pastime was playing bingo and scratching lottery tickets with Winnie.

Butch was an active member for many years of the Moshannon Lodge 391, F. & A. M., Philipsburg, a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Williamsport, A.A.S.R. and he was Protestant by faith.

Butch cared deeply for his children and grandchildren. He would always greet them with a "Hey Kid"! One of Butch's favorite stories to tell everyone was about the Idaho hunting trip with his sons Eddie and Ryan and grandchildren Wyatt, Connor and Paige.

Butch is survived by his loving wife Winnie; four sons, Edward (Debra) Shoemaker, of Philipsburg, Dean (Vincent Felli) Shoemaker, of Philipsburg, Ryan (Elizabeth) Shoemaker, of Houtzdale and Ronald Davis, of Mahaffey; five grandchildren, Wyatt (fiancé Tiffany), Paige (fiancé Garrett), Chelsea Domanick, Connor Holobinko and Chase Edward Shoemaker. He is also survived by his brothers: Fredrick (Janet) Shoemaker, Barry (Elva) Shoemaker; sisters Sandra (Dennis) Smeal, Lois (Matthew) Welker, Tina (Gary) Knepp, Sharon Space; sister-in-law, Vivian Shoemaker; 12 nephews; seven nieces; ten great-nephews; nine great-nieces and one great-great niece.

Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Kenneth Shoemaker and Gerald Shoemaker; and a niece, Laura Beth Shoemaker.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, at 11 a.m., at the New Life Center, 111 S. 2nd. St., Philipsburg, with the Rev. John Dill and Matthew Welker, co-officiating.

The visitations will be held on Tuesday, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 719 E. Spruce St., Philipsburg; and on Wednesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

A Masonic Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the funeral home.

Interment will be at Philipsburg Cemetery.

Online condolences may be submitted at http://www.beezerheathfh.com.