IL SR2297

Rev. Dr. Steven Robert Shoemaker passed away on October 10, 2016 at age 73; he was born and raised in Urbana and earned a Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1969, plus a Ph.D. in religion from Duke University in 1979

Served as pastor at Presbyterian churches in North Carolina and Champaign, as campus pastor at North Carolina State University, and finished his career as director of the University YMCA at the University of Illinois while teaching religious studies courses

Led numerous community service roles including chair of the Committee for the Homeless, member of the Dr. Martin Luther King Committee and Muslim Committee, and active Urbana Rotary Club member since 1982, serving as president in 2013

Passion for poetry and writing resulted in nomination as Illinois Poet Laureate in 2003, publication in various journals, and authorship of book "A Sin A Week"; hosted weekly radio program "Keepin' The Faith" on WILL AM 580

Survived by wife of 51 years Nadja, children Daniel and Marla, and grandchildren Carter and Grace; the Senate mourns his passing and directs a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to his family