Robert Owen Shewmaker
1936-2021
Robert “Bob” Shewmaker, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on April 22nd after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. The oldest of six children, he was born June 30, 1936, in New Middletown, IN to Bill and Lois Backherms Shewmaker. He graduated from Laconia High School with a class of ten in 1954. After two years in the US Army, he returned to southern Indiana and received a Bachelor’s degree from Bellarmine College in Louisville, KY.
During his lifetime he held many jobs including working nights in a dairy, co-ownership of Corydon Concrete and working for utility companies. His career in the coal business began with Public Service Indiana, then Middle South Utilities in New Orleans, LA, and in 1981 with Kerr McGee Coal Corporation where he worked for 20 years. During retirement he worked for Coffee Creek Golf Course and Farrington Towing before finally retiring in 2002.
This hard working, humble and quiet man had his Catholic faith as his core value, never missing to pray his rosary and read his Bible. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and life time member of the Knights of Columbus. He volunteered many hours for those organizations.
In 1968 he read about the new teachers at Corydon High School and was curious about a girl named Marilyn Falls. A couple in the rooming house where she lived fixed them up on a blind date. They married in 1969.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Kenneth and Phyllis and grandson Joseph Giordano. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, children Alison (Michael) Johnston and Brad (Nina)
Shewmaker, grandchildren Anthony Giordano, Michael “Tripp” Johnston, Louis and James Shewmaker. His surviving siblings include Norma Lee, Marilyn Thieneman and Wayne (Ruth) Shewmaker as well as many nieces and nephews and their children.
The family will be present for a viewing from 4PM to 7PM at Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond on the 25th of April with a rosary service following at 7PM. A Funeral Mass will be at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Monday April 26th at 1PM with the burial service at Resurrection Cemetery at 4PM.
We would also like to thank Brookdale Home Health, Touchmark Memory Care and Life Spring Hospice for their exceptional service, warm hearts and care during the final weeks of his life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation of Oklahoma, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Edmond, OK. or Center of Family Love, Okarche, OK.
Public visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Sunday, April 25, 2021 with a wake service starting at 7:00 p.m. at Matthews Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, April 26, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with interment to follow at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery.
To live stream the service please click the following link https://youtu.be/ugo5ROxbKqM
God rest your beautiful soul. We all loved you so much. You were such a good, good man. I was honored to have known you. Everyone will miss you so much.
Marilyn,
You are in my heart and prayers. It is difficult saying goodbye but lean on your family and your faith.
Love you cousin..
Debbie Owens
Dear Shewmakers
We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep all of you in our prayers.
Shane and Prentess
Marilyn certainly sorry for your lost. I think of you often and wonder where you wound up. I certainly remember your two young ladies (Marilyn and Janet) that started teaching at Corydon Central in 1968. I was a math teacher there and had started the previous year.