Wayne D. Shewmaker

Wayne D. Shewmaker, age 84, passed away in Sarasota, Florida on Thursday, January 20, 2022.  He was born on September 7, 1937, in New Middletown, Indiana to William and Lois (Backherms) Shewmaker.  Wayne graduated from Laconia High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Cincinnati.  In between high school and college, he served in the U.S. Army as a MP stationed in Germany after the Korean War.  Wayne married Ruth E. Ernstberger on February 20, 1960 and was a spiritual role model for his wife and four sons as well as for extended family and friends.  He was employed as a service manager for IBM for 35 years, winning many awards.  After retiring from IBM, he stared his own consulting firm implementing Y2K compliance for the State of Indiana.  Wayne’s passions were faith, family and charity – spending many hours in prayer and was a strong supporter of Cursillo and Christ Renews His Parish retreats.  He spent numerous hours volunteering to maintain church grounds.  Wayne was an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Carmel, Indiana and Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Lakewood Ranch, Florida and the Knights of Columbus.

Wayne is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Ruth; four sons, Don (Jorge), Barry (Maribeth), Chris (Julie), and Jim; 14 grandchildren: Zac, Nathan, Jeremy, Avery, Jill, Ben, Joseph, Matthew, Jacob, Ethan, Ella, Abby, Madison and Mary Kate; sisters, Marilyn Thieneman and Norma Lee and sister-in-law, Marilyn Shewmaker; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Robert and Kenny and sister, Phyllis.

Visitation will be held from 4pm until 8pm on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, where a rosary will be prayed between 7-730pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church on Friday, January 28^th at 2:30pm, with additional visitation from 1:30pm until the mass time.  Rite of Committal and Burial will follow at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.  There will be a memorial service at his home parish in Lakewood Ranch, Florida in the spring.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Wayne’s honor to the Trinity Free Clinic at www.trinityfreeclinic.org.