Max Shoemaker

Max O. Shoemaker, 82, of Chambersburg, passed away from natural causes on Thursday, December 8, 2022 in the Chambersburg Hospital. Born on May 23, 1940 in Chambersburg, he was the son of the late Robert and Louise (Wever) Shoemaker.

Max grew up in Chambersburg and graduated from Chambersburg Area Senior High School in 1958. He then earned a bachelor’s degree from the former East Stroudsburg State College (now University) before returning to Chambersburg to begin his teaching career. A former Chambersburg Trojans and Waynesboro Indians football coach, Max taught Health and Phys Ed in the Chambersburg and Waynesboro school districts before being recruited by State Farm Insurance in the late 70’s. For more than four decades he has served the communities of Franklin County as their trusted and loyal State Farm Insurance Agent.

Max enjoyed life and he loved being around people. He was a member of the Hume McNeal Byers AmVets Post 224, Burt J. Asper American Legion Post 46, and life member of both the Charles Nitterhouse VFW Post 1599 and the Chambersburg Club. His favorite pastime was playing golf and he truly cherished the time he spent on the fairways with MO's Group and the Wednesday Gang. He will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched along the way.

He is survived by his wife, Jennine (Gravino) Shoemaker; children, Bradley G. (Gina) Shoemaker of Hollidaysburg, PA, Jody L. (Tara) Shoemaker of Chambersburg, and Melvin A. (Sharon) Fager Jr. of Middletown, PA; six grandchildren, Melvin III, Makenzie, Preston, Lilly, Samantha and Zoey. He was preceded in death by his sister, Suzanne Shanklin.

A memorial gathering will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, December 12, in the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home 333 Falling Spring Road Chambersburg. His memorial service will be held at the funeral home at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13, with Rev. Dr. A. Robert Cook officiating. There will be no scheduled visitation on Tuesday prior to the service, but all are welcome to join the family at a reception directly following the service at the Charles Nitterhouse VFW Post 1599, 747 South 4th St. Chambersburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, 5051 Letterkenny Road West Chambersburg, PA 17201; or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences and memories may be shared on Max’s page at geiselfuneralhome.com.