Lester Driver Shoemaker, Sr. age 85 years, formerly of South Harrison went to the Lord on Thursday, January 16, 2020 from Elmwood Hills Health Care Center, Blackwood.
He was born in Swedesboro and grew up on the family farm in South Harrison Township. Lester attended South Harrison Elementary School and Woodstown High School. Later on he worked as a Millwright for DuPont and Eastern Labs in Penns Grove and Gibbstown for ten years, where he was known to get things done and for being a hard worker. Lester joined the carpenters' union and worked at the Salem Nuclear Plant.
After he married, he and his family lived in Mullica Hill. Once he took over the farm from his parents, he moved his family there and ran the U Pick and peach packing businesses. He enjoyed peach farming and running his stand at the corner of Routes 45 and 538. Lester loved going to Cowtown, visiting friends, and giving out fruits and vegetables, and flowers to the ladies.
He always had a story to tell or a fun fact to share with everyone he met. If you ever stopped by his stand at the farm or at Cowtown, you know he always wore his shell necklace. Any purchase you made always came with extra goodies, a good conversation, and a bit of trivia. In the off season he could be found trimming, cutting down, and maybe even falling out of trees. When he was no longer able to climb trees he would collect and scrap household items. Even when he had to leave the farm and moved in with his daughter, he still enjoyed cutting the grass there and helping his sons with the farm work. More recently, he was known to wear his fanciful hats to every occasion. He also liked going on day trips with his daughters and on road trips and to farm shows with his eldest son.
He is predeceased by his parents Oscar and Sarah, and his sister Doris Allen. He will be missed by his children Lester Jr. (Susan), Kathryn, David (Debbie), Patrick (Tamara), and Beth, his grandchildren Bonnie, Josh, Luke (Paula), Mark, Kevin, Melody (Barry), and Aria, and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you donate to a charity of your choice or do something nice for someone just like Lester would do.
Mr. Shoemaker's viewing will be held at St. John's UM Church, 3 Main St., Harrisonville, NJ 08039 on Friday, January 24 from 6-9pm and Saturday January 25 from 9-11am with Funeral service at 11am. Burial will be at Mullica Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
