Russell R. Shoemaker, 86 of Dorr Township, died Tuesday March 24.

Russ was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a member of the Wayland VFW Post 7581. He retired as a welder and supervisor from Kelvinator after 41 years, but his true passion was his lifelong work as a farmer. Russ and wife Vi have been members of St. Therese Catholic Church since 1954 and he was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4036. Russ also was a member of UAW Local 206.

His greatest joy was to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Viola; his children: Linda Shoemaker-Johnston, Janice (Gilbert) Goodwin, Dean (Tammy) Shoemaker, Colleen (Brian) Thomas, and Marcia (Daniel) Merren; 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; his brother Earl (Carolyn) Shoemaker; his sisters-in-law: Crystal (Don) Poll, Bernice (Carl) Church, Marcella (Cecil) Sturm, Donna Ketelaar, Leora (Jerry) Roersma; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruben and Hattie Shoemaker, his sisters  Beatrice Pallett and Edith DeCoux and his brothers Horace Shoemaker and Lester “Jack” Shoemaker.

Friends may visit with Russ’ family from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 27,  with a prayer service at 2 p.m. at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Services, 4330 18th Street, Dorr. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Therese Catholic Church, Wayland, with Father Christian Johnston presiding. Interment will follow at Dorr Cemetery, with military honors.

Donations in memory of Russ may be made to the St. Therese Catholic Church. Please share memories with Russ’ family at www.kubiakcook.com.