Wayne L. Shoemaker

Wayne L. Shoemaker, 81, of Eau Claire, WI, passed away on March 22^nd, 2016 at home.

Wayne was born on March 28^th, 1934 in Clark County, WI, the son of Ernest and Hazel (Kaufman) Shoemaker. He attended school in Butler, WI, before entering the U.S. Airforce. Wayne married Sharon Koenig on August 30^th, 1956 in Iowa. In his younger days Wayne enjoyed racing motorcycles and cars.

Wayne worked many jobs over the years; from logging to helping with the construction of Interstate 94 through Montana and also the construction of the Jim Falls Dam. He is most known for his work at Presto Industries, Wissota Tool, and Toys Scrap & Salvage in Eau Claire which he worked at for over 20 years before retiring.

Family, friends, and co-workers knew Wayne as the “Metal Wizard” or “Fort Knox Wayne” for his amazing metal fabricating and craftsmanship. Wayne enjoyed making knifes the most and was a Badger Knife Club Member. Wayne was also a great story teller and would recount many of his adventures with any who would listen.

Wayne is survived by his children, Dana Shoemaker of Eau Claire, Cary Shoemaker of Whitehall, Wade (Kim) Shoemaker of Elk Mound, Vicki (Rik) Stockey of Dundas, MN, Edie (Danny) Bare of Stanley, Eric (Ronnie) Shoemaker of Eau Claire, Sean Shoemaker of Stevens Point, and Scot Shoemaker of Eau Claire; sisters, Lucille (Louis) Weaver of Lakeside, AZ, Norma Timm of Augusta, WI, Virginia Scott of Kenosha, WI; brother Albert (Bonnie) Shoemaker of Albion, WA; sister-in-laws, Charleen (Deloy) Kiser of Farmington, MN, Phyllis Krueger of Napa, CA, and Patti Pagac of Waterford, MI; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews as well as a special honorary granddaughter, Seliina Toy.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Sharon, brothers Bill, Paul, Leo, Donald, Dareld, Laurel, and Ervin; sisters, Fern, Dorothy, and Darlene; great-granddaughters, Emma Strom and Kylie Aerabella Trahan/Bare.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 9^th, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Smith Funeral Chapel, Eau Claire. A visitation will take place at noon until the time of service on Saturday at the funeral home. Pastor Robert Hoekstra will be officiating.   In lieu of flowers, memorials in Wayne’s name can be made to the ADRC Meals on Wheels program at http://eauclairecounty.org/ADRC/MealsOnWheels/mow_donate_info.htm.