Marcus Gene Shoemaker

Marcus Gene Shoemaker passed away on April 26, 2023  at the age of 79 after succumbing to ongoing challenges of a life-altering accident from 12 years ago. The last of the children of Almeda and Eugene Shoemaker, he is preceded in death by brothers Donald and Lee Shoemaker, and sisters Mary Mercurio, Honora Forscutt, Louise Jones, and Patricia Spurlock. Also proceeding him is his beautiful daughter Darcie Silver. He is survived by his wife Scarlett, son Marcus Greg, daughter Robyn (Tony), grandson Dylan, many nieces, nephews, and students who he made feel like family.

Born in Brazil, Indiana in 1943, Marc joined the Navy at age 18 and served until 1963 when he left to be with his growing family and to pursue his education. He graduated from North Texas University in with a degree in education. After a serving as a junior high school teacher, he began his second career as a master carpenter.

Years after his first marriage, he moved to Austin, Texas where he met and married Scarlett in 1985. He worked at Marbridge Foundation for 10 years, as an administrator and teacher to mentally challenged men, until moving back home to Indiana in 1997. Several years later, he taught at Meridian Academy of the Arts and continued to work as a carpenter, rehabbing old homes, and designing and building kitchens and closets until he retired to become full-time Papaw and caregiver to his little buddy, Dylan.

He loved working with children and teenagers, and taught so many with his alternative styles of personalized teaching. He was an animal lover and bird nerd. He loved old rustic ways and primitive camping, often venturing off into Morgan-Monroe National Forrest on his own for the weekend, with nothing but a small backpack and walking stick. He was an artist of many media including wood, paint, stone, words, and music. His pieces are numerous including a boat, shaker furniture, beautiful wooden boxes, musical instruments, songs, and poetry. He was innovative and always trying to make things better.

He positively affected many people along his lifelong journey, and was an amazing person. Marc will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

A celebration of Marc’s life will be on May 20th at the Shoemaker’s home, 7028 Lockwood Lane, Indy. It will be open house hours from 11a to 3p, with designated time to share remarks, thoughts and stories from 12:30 to 1:30. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his name to Arts With a Purpose.

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