John R. Shoemaker, Sr.

John R. Shoemaker, Sr., age 86 of Fairborn, passed away Friday May 10, 2019.  He was born May 9, 1933 in Springfield, Oh, the son of the late John Leo and Opal (Patton) Shoemaker.  John served his country on active duty in the US Army and followed with employment in civil service at Wright-Patterson AFB, retiring in 1987 after over 36 years of combined federal service.  In conjunction with his civil service career he served in the US Army Reserve in the medical service corps.  He was a lifetime member and Past Commander of American Legion Dignam-Whitmore Post 526 in Fairborn.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his grandson, Cory Christy; great-grandson, Carson DiGregorio; two sisters, Nellie Chestnut and Marie Shaw.  Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Janet; two children, Suzanne (Brett) Christy of Maryland, John, Jr. (Deanna) Shoemaker of Xenia; four grandchildren, Kyle (Amy) Christy, Travis (Erica) Shoemaker, Amber DiGregorio, Ben Sharp (Liz Merritts); eight great-grandchildren, Jacob, Hailey, Grace, and Emily Christy, Grayson and Madelyn Shoemaker, Ava DiGregorio, Nevaeh Merritts; three brothers, James Shoemaker, Glendon (Sharon) Shoemaker, Edward (Mary) Shoemaker; two sisters, Martha Dooley, Helen Muncy; and niece Melissa Muncy who visited often and to whom he was very close with; as well as numerous other extended family and friends.  A funeral service will be held on Friday May 17, 2019 at 3:00 P.M. at the Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, 422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd., Fairborn, Pastor H. Wesley Barnhill officiating.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until the time of service.  Military honors will be rendered at the conclusion of the service at the funeral home and inurnment at the Byron Cemetery will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton.  Condolences may be made to the family at www.BeltonStroup.com.  

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