Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Chalmer Eugene “Tinker” Shoemaker of Davidsonville, MD passed away at his home on September 14, 2023, with his devoted wife at his side.  Tinker was born on November 4, 1928, in Chicago, IL to the late Helen and Jim Shoemaker.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Heather Shoemaker Calhoun, a brother, Robert “Buddy” Shoemaker, a niece, Lynda Shoemaker Cook and a great niece, Brooke A. Swope.
Tinker will be remembered most for the love he had for his family and his dedication as a husband, father, grandfather and uncle.  He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Carol Swope Shoemaker; son Mark Shoemaker (Arthur Hintz); daughter Jennifer Shoemaker-Hummel (Michael Null); grandchildren Summer Hummel, Jocelyn, Liam and Veronica Calhoun and son in law Sam Calhoun; nephews James Swope, Douglas (Virginia) Swope and Joseph (Laura) Swope; niece Debbie Shoemaker Whitfield: great nieces Jacqueline, Josephine, Emma, Haley, Nicole and Emily Swope; great niece and nephew Jay and Jaime Cook, great nieces Rachel and Cheryl Whitfield; Goddaughter Catherine Stevinson Hovance, and his favorite grand dog, Piper Rose.

Tinker proudly served in the US Marine Corps and after an honorable discharge he attended the University of Maryland.  He enjoyed a career in telecommunications and after retirement from Lucent Technologies he started his own telecom business, Tinker’s TelCo.  His interests included gardening, reading and skiing.  He was an avid hunter and enjoyed the time hunting in Pennsylvania with his father-in-law, brother-in-law and nephews.  Tinker never shied away from hard work.  One of his most enjoyable pastimes was chopping down trees and splitting the logs.  He also deeply loved his church and studying the Bible.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gambrills, MD where he served as a Lector, Sunday School Superintendent and teacher for many years.  For the past twelve years, he was a member at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Annapolis.  He was also a member of the former Davidsonville Ruritan Club and the Pelican Sport Skydiving Club.
A celebration of life will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 31 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21401 on Saturday, November 4 at 11 AM.  Interment will be on a later date at Langdondale Community Cemetery in Pennsylvania.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Tinker’s name may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Annapolis. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.KalasFuneralHomes.com.

“A man’s man with a tender heart”


Chalmer "Tinker" Shoemaker

Chalmer "Tinker" Shoemaker

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