CENTRALIA — Wilma Louise (Hottes) Shoemaker died on December 26, 2023 at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, surrounded by family.
She was born in DuQuoin, IL on September 3, 1934 to Louise Seibert Hottes and Walter Hottes. She was raised in DuQuoin, Illinois, by her loving mother and step-father, Walter Andrews. Wilma married James Louis Shoemaker in DuQuoin on March 26, 1955. He preceded her in death on July 12, 2022.
Wilma attended and graduated from DuQuoin elementary and high schools. She met Jim when she was cashier for Rector’s Department Store in DuQuoin when he was home on leave from the Navy. He fell in love with her at first sight. During their 67 years of marriage, Wilma and Jim lived in DuQuoin, IL; Rolla, MO; Effingham, IL; and Centralia, IL. Wilma was the office manager and bookkeeper for General Contractor’s Inc., the asphalt paving company that Jim started in 1977.
Wilma was a member of First Baptist Church of Centralia and the Fellowship Sunday School Class since 1963. She served the church on many boards and committees with a special emphasis on Christian Education and Missions, serving as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. Over the past several years, she coordinated the Annual Jug Breaking Service. Wilma and Jim were original supporters of the Centralia Balloon Fest and a partner in the special shape “Arky” Balloon. They also sponsored the Mickey Mouse, Cinderella’s Castle in the Sky and Tony the Tiger Balloons at early Balloon Fests.
She spent her early childhood on her grandparents’ farm west of DuQuoin which led to her lifelong love of gardening and animals. She could often be found working in her yard and vegetable garden and watching the baby foxes that lived near her house. Wilma and Jim loved to travel and they spent many vacations in Florida and Branson, Missouri, with family and church friends. Wilma was a friend to all and dedicated her life to serving God and her church. God used her heart to reach out and touch everyone she met. To know her was to love her.
Wilma is survived by daughter Brenda (Don) Benton; son James A. (Lisa) Shoemaker; five grandchildren: Justin (Deana) Shoemaker, Brandon Shoemaker, Jessi (Jason) Book, Donovan (Esther) Benton and Niklas Shoemaker and special friend Ceirra Moxley.
Her great-grandchildren are: Logan Shoemaker, Jack Shoemaker, Emery Book, Elias Book, Ensley Book, Walter Benton, Megan (Travis) Klotz, Jamie Redman, Sydney (Hunter) Gammon, and “bonus” great-granddaughters Carly Arnoldy and Eryn Starr. Her great-great-grandchildren are Elsie Klotz, Hadley Klotz, Reis Carter, Ledger Simonton, Natalee Niepoetter and Naomi Niepoetter. Wilma is also survived by her half-brother Ron (Dawn) Hottes, her sister-in-law Joan Emling, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Wilma Shoemaker will begin at 11 am on Saturday, December 30, at First Baptist Church in Centralia, with Rev. Greg Alvis and Rev. Rodger Randolph officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9 am until time of service at the church. A graveside service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, December 30, at the Antioch Cemetery west of Tamaroa, IL.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Centralia and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Shoemaker family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook page.