Martha Helen Shoemaker

Martha Helen Shoemaker passed to eternity on Thursday, March 12, 2026. She was born Martha Rickli on March 19, 1923, in Watson, Michigan, the second daughter of Jacob Rickli and Anna (Siegfried) Rickli.

Martha graduated from Martin High School in 1941. While in high school she met her future husband, Jesse Charles Shoemaker, known as Chuck. While he served in the army, she supported herself working jobs in different cities while waiting for him to return home. Days after he was discharged, Martha and Chuck were married on January 11, 1946, a union in love they each treasured every day. The two settled in Martin, where Chuck farmed with his brothers. Martha and Chuck raised three children, Tom, Jerry, and Mary. Throughout her life Martha was devoted to Chuck and caring for their children and other family members. Occasionally, she worked on the family farm, but most of her time was spent supporting her family and her children’s many activities.

Martha and Chuck were long time members of the Martin United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School classes. Cooking, knitting, and crocheting were among her favorite pastimes, and she excelled at each of them. Martha freely shared her handiwork and delicious dishes to the delight of the many who received them.

Once retired from farming, Martha and Chuck moved to Kalamazoo. They enjoyed time just being together and visiting family and friends as well as traveling throughout the United States and Europe. In retirement, both volunteered at The Discovery Shop operated by the American Cancer Society. They were often seen strolling hand in hand as the love they shared grew even stronger throughout their years.

Martha was a loving person, nurturing her family, treasuring her marriage, giving back to community and church, and spreading happiness and compassion wherever she went. Even in her later days of life at Maple Lake Assisted living, where she was known as Miss Martha, she was recognized for her smiles and hugs freely offered to caregivers and residents.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck (Jesse Charles) Shoemaker; parents Jacob and Anna Rickli; son, Jerry Charles Shoemaker; siblings, Anne Wells, Dorothy Levett, Alice McCaffery, and Walter Rickli. Surviving are son, Thomas Shoemaker (Tonda Boothby) of Paw Paw, MI; daughter, Mary Burpee (Tim Burpee) of Snohomish, WA; and daughter-in-law, Deborah Shoemaker of Mason, MI; siblings, Jacob Rickli of Kalamazoo, James Rickli of Paw Paw, and Norma Cribbs of Rochester; grandchildren, Nicholas Burpee and Jeffrey Burpee of Snohomish, WA; Alison (Shoemaker) Palmer of Chantilly, VA; Benjamin Shoemaker of Holt, MI; Jesse Boothby Shoemaker of Benton Harbor, Lexis (Boothby-Shoemaker) Fath of Paw Paw, and Dr. Wyatt Boothby-Shoemaker of Oak Park; thirteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Visitation will be held at the Paw Paw Presbyterian Church, 120 Pine Street, Paw Paw on Friday, March 20 from 5 until 8 PM. A celebration of Martha’s life will also be held at the Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 21 with visitation at 10 AM and the service, officiated by Reverend Gail Monsma of the Presbyterian Church and Reverend Margaret Stoken of the Martin United Methodist Church, beginning at 11 AM followed by a luncheon.