John Franklin Shumate (Lebanon)'s Obituary
John Franklin Shumate, son of John H. and Pearl M. Huff Shumate, was born May 21, 1928, in Lebanon, Missouri. He departed this life Monday, August 6, 2012, in his home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-four years, two months, and fifteen days.
On January 14, 1951, he was united in marriage to Norma Jean Pendergrass, and to this union one daughter and two sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a great-grandson, Hunter Beesley; a brother, Frank Shumate; and three sisters, Lilly Griffin, and two infants, Grace and Mable.
John is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Norma, of the home; two sons, Keith Shumate, and his wife, Bonnie, and John Leroy Shumate, all of Lebanon, Missouri; a daughter, Carolyn Pollreisz, and her husband, George, of Columbia, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Crystal, Tara, Amanda, Derek, Scott, Staci, and Lindsey; ten great-grandchildren, Mariah, Gabe, Hope, Jared, John David, Kaydee, Braxton, Mason, Kammi, and Charli; a sister, Dorothy Rippy, of Springfield, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
He was born and raised in Lebanon, Missouri, and attended Lebanon R-III Schools. As a young man, he entered the United States Army, and served his country faithfully from 1951 until 1953, during the Korean War. He had worked as a cutter for the Rice Stix Factory before entering the military, and returned to that job for awhile after being honorably discharged. He and Norma made their home in the Lebanon community, and lovingly raised their family. John also did some farming for several years and served as an officer for the Lebanon Police Department. He was a truck driver for a time, and then was a foreman at Independent Stave Company for thirteen years. Later, he served as a Deputy Sheriff for the Laclede County Sheriff Department for eight years before retiring.
John had made his profession of faith in Christ and was an active member of Lebanon First Assembly of God for a number of years. He played the guitar and mandolin with the Shumate Family Gospel Singers and traveled the four-state area for many years.
In his spare time he enjoyed being outdoors where his favorite activity was hunting, and he also liked raising dogs and horses. He enjoyed sports and played baseball for several years. He was a big fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them throughout the years.
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