Albert Ray Shoemaker

DOVER- Albert “Ray” Shoemaker, 79, passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at his home. He was the husband of Gloria Ann (Copenheaver) Shoemaker. The couple would have celebrated 60 years of marriage this coming January. A Celebration of Life tribute service will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at Shiloh Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2201 Church Rd., York, with his Pastor, Reverend Kathy A. Swords officiating. A visitation will be held from 7-9 PM on Monday, July 24, 2017 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Rd., York, and from 10:30-11 AM Tuesday at church prior to the service. Burial will be in Shiloh Union Cemetery with full military honors provided by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Born July 15, 1938 in Lancaster, Ray was a son of the late Albert K. and Ruth K. (Gerlach) Shoemaker. He worked in tool and die maintenance of precision materials for 33 years at Osram Sylvania, Inc. until his retirement in 1996. Ray then worked for Thornton Automotive from 2007-2016. Mr. Shoemaker served our country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Ray was a member of Shiloh Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served as an usher, a Deacon, sang in the choir and from 1993-2007, served as the church sexton. He was also a member of the Shiloh American Legion Post 791, the Dover Democratic Club, the Veterans Association, the GTO-AA National Association, and was a former member of the Dover Area School Board. Ray loved working on cars and was a mechanic and pit crew member for sprint cars and late models. In addition to his wife, Gloria, Mr. Shoemaker is survived by three children, a daughter, Sharon E. Altland and her fiancée, Greg Loyd of York, Barry R. Shoemaker and his wife Lori of Red Lion, and Neal A. Shoemaker and his wife Jinni of Dover; six grandchildren; a brother, Paul E. Shoemaker and his wife Shirley of Red Lion, and a sister, Marian Y. Smith of Dover. Along with his parents, Ray was preceded in death by a sister, Alberta R. Winemiller. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to AseraCare Hospice, 44 Bowman Rd., York, PA 17408 or the Cancer Patient Help Fund, 25 Monument Rd., Suite 194, York, PA 17403.