Deacon Bob Shoemaker

Funeral services for Bob Shoemaker, 76, O'Neill, were held at 10:30am Fri. July 24, at St. Patrick's Church. The Rev. Richard Reiser and concelebrants officiated. Rev. Bernard Burbach was the deacon of the Mass. Pallbearers were Jerry Shoemaker, Jim Shoemaker, Jerry Schaaf, Larry Pribil, Merle Pease, Marv Peter. Burial was in the O'Neill Cemetery. Military rites were conducted by American Legion Simonson Post 93.

Visitation was from 3-6pm THur at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill and 7-9pm at St. Patrick's Church. Rosaries were held at 4:30pm for Catholic Daughters and the Legion of Mary and at 8pm for the parish and the Knights of Columbus at the church.

He died Mon., July 20 at his ranch south of O'Neill. The son of John and Hattie (Pribil) Shoemaker was born Feb. 22, 1922, at O'Neill. He was a 1940 graduate of St. Mary's High School. He served in World War II as a second lieutenant from 1942-45 and was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran. Bob attended Creighton University in Omaha for four year. He was a cattle buyer for Byers Bros. Commission Co. at the Omaha Stockyards.

He married Margaret Schroeder on Oct. 7, 1950 at St. John's Catholic Church in Omaha. They moved to the ranch south of O'Neill that they owned and operated until the time of his death.

Mr. Shoemaker was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and its organizations including the Knights of Columbus (4th degree), the Cursillo movement of the Archdiocese of Omaha. He was ordained a permanent deacon Oct. 28, 1979 for the Archdiocese of Omaha. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans and O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post 93.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret; daughter and spouses, Mariclaire and Bob Musil of O'Neill, Jeanie and John Mezger of Omaha, Katie Hollenbeck of Pocatello, ID; sons and spouses, Mike and Jeri Jo, Hugh and Mardell, all of O'Neill, Dan and Barb of Maxwell; brother and sister-in-law, John and Agnes Shoemaker of Omaha; 10 grandchildren, one step grandson, two step granddaughter; two nieces and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by two infant sons and one infant daughter.

Memorials are directed to the St. Mary's School Foundation.