On Sunday, July 29, 2018, Joseph (Joe) John Shoemaker, 79, of Butte, Montana, passed on to his eternal home while in the presence of his beloved family at St. James Healthcare.

      Joe was born in Leadville, Colorado, on May 12, 1939 to Joseph and Angela (Widmar) Shoemaker.   At a young age, his family moved to Butte where his childhood years were spent on the Parrot Flat, attending Grant Elementary School and graduating from Butte High.   On Aug. 18, 1957, Joe married Wilma Stedman and they raised four daughters:   Michone, Christine, Robin and Natalie Jo.   On Feb. 14, 1986, Joe married Mary Danielson and added two more children to his life, Lisa and Rich.

      A salesman at heart, Joe's first job at the age of 13 was selling magazines door to door.   He continued in door-to-door sales selling RenaWare pots and pans, china and silverware.   In 1962, he began his lifelong and very successful career as a New York Life Insurance agent.   Along with numerous accomplishments and many awards such as his lifetime membership to the Million Dollar Roundtable, CLU and ChFC degrees, the one at the forefront of his career was his qualification for his 55th consecutive New York Life's Council level, an accomplishment very few have attained.   He loved his profession, serving clients near and far, making sure all their needs were met day and night.

      Joe was a self-taught master of many things including the construction of his first home at the age of 24.   He learned the "how to's" of construction by watching others and reading books.   He spent countless hours woodworking in his "little" shop where he made many treasured pieces for family and friends.   He was an accomplished game hunter enjoying many years at his rugged hunting camp and countless weekends waiting for the arrival of ducks and geese.   He loved his hometown of Butte, and was a dedicated volunteer and active member for The Greenway, Project Green, and Restore Our Creek Coalition.

      Above all else, Joe's greatest pride and joy was in his family.   With six children, 13 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren, his life was full beyond measure and he relished in every moment he had with all of them.   He never ceased to amaze his family with his ability to remember every single birthday and the names of each of his 37 great-grandchildren.   When asked of the family how you would describe this most honored man words like wonderful, magical, giving, kind-hearted, loving, dignified, suitable, happy, strong, generous, wise, joyful, dreamer, optimistic, humble, thoughtful, fun, encouraging, inspiring and so many more were expressed.

      Our dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa was a pillar of strength to all of us.   We loved his contagious smile, the twinkle in his eyes, his wonderful stories and his quirky love for gummy bears but most of all we loved his larger than life presence.   He will be greatly missed.

      Joe was preceded in death by his parents;   his brother, Anton Bresich;   and his son-in-law, Jay Newby.

      He is survived by his wife, Mary;   his children, Michone (Kevin) Stewart, Christine (Jim) Winjum, Robin (Wendell) Niewenhuis, Natalie Jo Shoemaker (Mark Wilcox), Lisa (Michael) Regan and Rich Danielson (Jennifer Leight);   his grandchildren, Jacob (Decia) Newby, Rachel (Daniel) Merrick, Joel (Samantha) Newby, Alysha (Ryan) Ruffato, Stephanie (Nick) Venhuizen, Britton (Rebeccah) Clark, Ciana (Joey) Jimenez, Elise (Matthew) Leonard, Ross (Kayla) Moslander, Christiana (Christo) Wolmarans, Corbin Moslander, Austin Shoemaker, Jesse Wilcox, Joshua Wilcox, Caitlin (Landon) Graves;   his 37 great-grandchildren;   his sister-in-law, Maria Bresich;   and two nieces, Sonya Davis and Linda Barton.

      Visitation will be held at St. Ann's Parish Wednesday, Aug. 1, at 6 p.m., followed by Vigil Service at 7 p.m.   Funeral Mass will be held at St. Ann's Parish on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 11 a.m., and Rite of Committal will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.   Memorials may be made to the Butte Food Bank.   Express condolences at www.wayrynen-richards.com.