James S. Shoemaker, age 85, of Whitehall, died on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 in the Gundersen Tri-County Care Center in Whitehall.

Jim was born on December 21, 1935 in Augusta to Roy and Gertrude (Kattestad) Shoemaker.  Jim's family moved to Osseo when he was 11 years old.  It was in his teen years that he began his work with automobiles when he worked at a local filling station.  He graduated from the Osseo High School in 1956.

Jim married Lorraine Sonsalla on March 29, 1958 in the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Arcadia.

Jim served in the United States Army from 1958-1960 and served in Germany for part of his term.  When he returned from the service, Jim and Lorraine settled in Whitehall where they lived their entire married life of 63 years and raised their two daughters, Donna and Dee Ann.

Jim was employed as an automobile mechanic and worked at various garages, Mike and Tracy Rice's Ford Garage in Whitehall, Bautch Motors in Arcadia, Hagen Pontiac in Whitehall and finally Rudy's Pontiac in Whitehall.  He loved the older model cars and enjoyed working on them the most.  He could not always remember a person's name but always knew what kind of vehicle they drove.

Jim was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Whitehall where he served as an usher and with his wife, Lorraine, served as gift bearers.

Jim enjoyed fishing and spent most weekends at some body of water, summer and winter.  He introduced his love of fishing to his grandsons, Drew and Micah, and his family never knew what store-bought fish was.

Jim enjoyed listening to classic country music and watching classic movies, especially the old westerns and World War II movies.  Because of his love of cars, he was a NASCAR fan and in particular the Pontiac and GM cars and of driver Dale Earnhardt.

Jim enjoyed riding his pedal bicycle and his Honda Moped that he won from GTC.  He stated that it is one of the only things he had ever won.  He also enjoyed watching his grandsons play softball and did not miss many of their local games.  He also enjoyed his time at the community table at the local café, discussing the "news" of the day.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lorraine; two daughters, Donna (Gary Rebarchek) Shoemaker and Dee Ann (Michael) Anderson both of Whitehall; two grandsons, Drew Anderson of Whitehall and Micah Anderson (fiance`, Kaitlyn Komay) of La Crosse;  a brother, Don (Ann) Shoemaker of Osseo; two sisters, Joanne "Dolly" Shoemaker of Osseo and Shirley Warner of Janesville; two brothers-in-law David Ihle and Foster Wright, and two sisters-in-law, Janet Peterson and Emerine  Weaver; numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Shoemaker; three sisters, Marjorie Ihle, Betty Wright and Annabelle Shoemaker;  his in-laws, Clifford and Rose Sonsalla and Jacob and Teckla Sonsalla; seven brothers-in-law, Ernest, Clarence, Apolinary, Vernon, LaVern and Roland Sonsalla and Richard Warner and a sister-in-law, Joyce Shoemaker.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in Saint John's Catholic Church in Whitehall with Father George officiating.  Burial will be in the Saint Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery in Arcadia.  Military rites will be conducted by the Hutchins-Stendahl American Legion Post #191.

Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

COVID-19 cautionary guidelines i.e., facial coverings and social distancing, will be required.

The Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall is assisting the family with arrangements.