James Edward Shumaker, Jr.

James “Jim” Edward Shumaker, Jr.

“Thank You” Birdhouses -

James “Jim” Edward Shumaker, Jr., age 86, of Mechanicsburg , died peacefully at Messiah Village on Thursday, May 7, 2015.  Jim was born on Thursday, August 2, 1928 in Harrisburg to the late James Edward Shumaker, Sr. and Verna Belle (Moyer) Shumaker.  Jim was the widower of Karin Janet (Schott) Shumaker, whom he married on June 26, 1949, and who died on May 30, 2014.  In addition to his parents and wife, Jim is preceded in death by his sisters, Mable Arlene Shumaker and Doris Jean Hutchinson.

Jim’s survivors include his children: Ted Shumaker and his wife, Maureen, of Dillsburg, Don Shumaker and his wife, Penny Freeman, of LaPlace, LA, Linda Shumaker of Harrisburg; his grandchildren: Spenser, Devon, and Emma Shumaker; and his brother, Glenn Eugene Shumaker and his wife, Carol, of Duncannon.

Jim graduated from John Harris High School as part of the class of 1947.  He retired from Bell Telephone in 1991 after 42 years of service.  Jim was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Marysville.  He was a Bell Telephone Pioneer and a member of the Robert Burns Lodge 464 , Scottish Rite Consistory of Valley Harrisburg , and Tall Cedars of Lebanon .  Jim was quite adept at building and woodworking, and given enough time to figure something out, he could fix just about anything.  Jim had an amazing and impressive wood shop where he crafted various pieces, but he was best known for the birdhouses he made for everyone he knew as his way of saying thank you.

All are welcome to join Jim’s family at his memorial service on Friday, May 15, 2015, from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church , 450 Sylvan Street, Marysville, PA 17053; with Pastor James O. Parker officiating.  Jim’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at his church following the service.  Burial will be private in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Harrisburg.  Honored to be pallbearers are:  Ted Shumaker, Don Shumaker, Spenser Shumaker, Devon Shumaker, Emma Shumaker, and Mike Miller.

To honor his family’s commitment to helping those with Alzheimer’s disease, Jim’s family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Pennsylvania Chapter, 3544 North Progress Avenue, Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA  17110.

Jim’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Jim’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at www.Myers-Buhrig.com .