SR2297 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2297 LRB099 23590 GRL 51079 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Rev. Dr. Steven Robert Shoemaker, who passed away on October 10, 2016 at the age of 73; and

WHEREAS, Steven Shoemaker was born and raised in Urbana; he played trombone and basketball at Urbana High School and attended Wheaton College, where he participated in pranks, such as padlocking the chapel doors before a service; after becoming more serious about his studies, he earned a Master of Divinity degree and Master of Sacred Theology degree in 1969 from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago; he later earned a Ph.D. in religion from Duke University in 1979; and

WHEREAS, Steven Shoemaker served as pastor at Pittsboro and Mount Vernon Springs Presbyterian churches in Pittsboro, North Carolina; he served as campus pastor at North Carolina State University and as pastor at McKinley Presbyterian Church in Champaign; he finished his career as director of the University YMCA at the University of Illinois; he also taught one course a semester in religious studies at either Parkland College or the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Steven Shoemaker served as chair of the Committee for the Homeless, co-chair of the Men's Emergency Shelter Steering Committee, member of the Dr. Martin Luther King Committee, member of the Muslim Committee, and member of the Champaign County Board, the United Way Board, and the local ACLU Board; he was also an active Urbana Rotary Club member since 1982 and acted as president in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Steven Shoemaker had a passion for writing, particularly poetry; he was nominated to be Illinois Poet Laureate in 2003 and was published in a plethora of journals ranging from Christian ministry to Judaism; after his cancer diagnosis, he published his first book, titled "A Sin A Week", and received thousands of Likes for poems posted through social media; he also reached out to the community through his weekly radio program, "Keepin' The Faith", on WILL AM 580, which provided interviews and discussions highlighting relevant social topics; and

WHEREAS, Steven Shoemaker donated his rich bass voice to various choirs and was a member of the Real Fire band; he also donated his time to be an integral part in the lives of others as he joined couples in marriage, performed funerals, and provided counseling and support, while never accepting payment; and

WHEREAS, Steven Shoemaker enjoyed spending time with his family and taking his children on various trips to baseball games, museums, and other places; and

WHEREAS, Steven Shoemaker is survived by his wonderful wife of 51 years, Nadja; his children, Daniel (Rachael) and Marla (Craig); and his grandchildren, Carter and Grace; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Rev. Dr. Steven Robert Shoemaker; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Steven Shoemaker as an expression of our sympathy.