Kay Lynn Shoemaker

Kay Lynn Shoemaker

Age 64 of Coal City, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at Morris Hospital.

Born July 2, 1957 in Chicago, Kay was a daughter of Donald and Viola (nee Reader) Shoemaker. She was raised and educated in Coal City and graduated from Coal City High School. Kay Lynn furthered her education by attending Olivet Nazarene University where she achieved her Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing degree. She was a nurse her entire life. Kay Lynn worked as the Director of Nursing at Embassy Care in Wilmington for several years, and later as a home health nurse. Most recently, she held employment with the Grundy County Health Department as the Director of Nursing from 2003 to 2009 and as the Administrator from 2009 to 2013. During the COVID 19 Pandemic, Kay Lynn was proud to work part time as a contact tracer.

She was a devoted member of the Coal City United Methodist Church, where she participated in numerous groups such as Bible Study, Rebekah Conference of Women, and Sunshine Circle. Through the church, Kay Lynn also volunteered with the Coal City Food Pantry and the Coal City Disaster Response Team. Her spirituality and church family were an integral part of her life, providing great motivation and creating precious memories that were near and dear to her heart.

Kay Lynn loved spending time outdoors at the Coal City Area Club camping and letting her dog, Remi, go out for his morning run. She always looked forward to the change in season when she could take a drive to see all the leaves fall, or to find the perfect spot to watch the sunset. Kay Lynn was an animal lover and enjoyed trivia games like Jeopardy and solving riddles. She was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and horse racing fan, always anticipating Triple Crown season, especially the Kentucky Derby. Holidays were very important to Kay Lynn, especially the Fourth of July which she called "her holiday" due to how close it was to her birthday; her patriotic spirit, and her enjoyment of fireworks. She had a magnetic personality that people gravitated to, seemingly always making her the center of attention when she was telling one of her great many stories. Kay Lynn was a true Christian woman, always willing to help anyone in need, who treasured her family and friends more than anything.

Survivors include four children: Robert (Abbie) Shoemaker and Jessica Shoemaker (Coty Hoffman) both of Morris, Carlos Shoemaker (Amy Roszak) of Worth, Illinois, and Jimmy Elkin of Morris; seven grandchildren: Lilah Shoemaker, Sakura, Selena, and Violet Hoffman, and Anthony, Lily and Rylan Elkin; one uncle, George (the late Joan) Reader of Coal City, and the many members of her church family, whom she loved dearly.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents and several aunts and uncles.

The family will receive friends for a visitation on Monday, December 6, 2021, at the Coal City United Methodist Church, 6805 East McArdle Road, from 4:00 p.m. until the time of funeral service at 7:00 p.m. Reverend Bradley Shumaker will officiate. Per Kay's wishes, cremation rites will be accorded following the services.

Those attending the visitation and funeral are kindly asked to wear face masks per CDC guidelines.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Kay Lynn's memory to the Coal City United Methodist Church.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Kay's memorial page by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and cremation arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City (815) 634-2125.