Bill Text: IL SR2297 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Rev. Dr. Steven Robert Shoemaker.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2016-11-16 - Resolution Adopted [SR2297 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2015-SR2297-Introduced.html

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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

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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

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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.