June Elizabeth Shoemaker

June Elizabeth Shoemaker, 95 years old, passed away on Saturday August 11, 2012 at North Woods Care Center, Belvidere, IL. June was born on February 20, 1917, the daughter of William and Helen (Fitzgerald) Tretter in Mendota, IL. Her family moved to Freeport, IL in the 1920'™s. June graduated from Freeport High school in 1935. She later married Arnold Wade Shoemaker in April 1938. June and Arnold had two daughters, Carole Elizabeth (LaRoy) Battenfield and Janice Anne (Ronald) Youman. Her family moved to Rockford, IL in 1953. Husband Arnold died December 4, 1962. June lived with her daughter Janice and Ronald and stayed with them in Washington D.C., Cedar Rapids, and back to Rockford in 1977. Throughout this time, June was an important member of her immediate family and played a major role in the lives of her grandchildren Breisa (Donald) Grandolfo and Benjamin (Kristine) Youman. June would also visit her daughter Carole and her family in Texas, catching up with lives of Carole'™s children, Kathleen, Douglas, Ronald, and Richard. June worked tirelessly for all members of her family, dearly loving her daughters, six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. June was also proud of her wonderful rose gardens wherever she lived. Precedent in death is her infant sister Geraldine Frances, her parents, husband, and June'™s three brothers William, Donald, and James. Beside her daughters and grandchildren, the other surviving member of her family is her sister Marjorie (James) Bowers, plus cousins, nieces, and nephews. Daughters Janice and Carole families were constantly amazed of June'™s strength and will to live during hard times, and later on with ill health, including dialysis treatments during the last ten years; but it was her broken hip over eight years ago that required a nursing home residence and care. June was known for her sassy attitude, fighting spirit, and her sense of humor. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. Funeral services for June will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday August 15, 2012 at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in her memory. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign her online guestbook and to share memories.