William Shumaker

VILLA RIDGE, Ill. -- William Joseph Shumaker, 85, of Villa Ridge died at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, 2007, at his home.

He was born May 16, 1922, at Villa Ridge, son of Dr. William Earl and Floy Bour Shumaker.

Mr. Shumaker was a retired rural mail carrier 30 years in Pulaski County, and was a former railroad employee. He was a member of Villa Ridge Union Church, Rural Letter Carriers Association, Egyptian Country Club and lifetime member of Pulaski County Memorial VFW Post 8891, both in Mounds, Ill. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine Hedger Shumaker; three nieces, Trudy Peeler of McClure, Ill., Julie Fleming of Barlow, Ky., Susan Ramage of Metropolis, Ill.; six nephews, Jeff Shumaker of Kennesaw, Ga., Ben Tally, R.Ph., of Cape Girardeau, Mike Tally of Cobden, Ill., Donald Tally of Anna, Ill., Billy Bob and Ricky Hedger of Bowling Green, Ky.; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Phyllis Kay Shumaker in 1955; a brother, Edward Earl Shumaker; and sisters, Floy Marie "Pepper" Tally and Mary Emma George.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, and after 10 a.m. Thursday at Villa Ridge Union Church.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, with Pastor Larry Buckles officiating. Interment will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens at Villa Ridge with full military honors by VFW Post 8891 in Mounds, VFW Post 2649 in Cairo, Ill., and American Legion Post 178 in Villa Ridge.