Zada Shewmake

Zada I. Shewmake, 88, passed away peacefully at 7:20 a.m. Monday, November 25, 2024 at OSF St. Anthony’s Healthcare Center in Alton. 

Zada was born on May 1, 1936 in Alton, the daughter of Clifford and Helen Laverna (Rain) Hand. 

She married Oscar “Chancey” Shewmake on October 7, 1955 and they were married for 69 years.He survives. 

Zada’s greatest joy was God and her family.She enjoyed doing daily devotions with her husband.She was a lifelong member of Elm Street Presbyterian Church until it closed.  She was attending Bethalto Presbyterian Church until her health would no longer allow her to. 

Zada enjoyed getting together with her family for meals (she was a great cook).  Together they enjoyed countless times playing games.Zada was always up for playing any board game, but playing Elmer’s Rummy was her favorite card game.She was a loving wife and mother, mother-in-law, grandma, great grandma, aunt and friend. 

Along with her husband, she is survived by her children, Pamela Stolze (Rick), Kathryn Shewmake and Timothy Shewmake (Terry), seven grandchildren, Joshua and Jeremy Shewmake, Matthew Stolze (Natalie Horras), Breanne Bonnell (Luke), and Michael Stolze, two great grandchildren, Amelia and Lincoln Bonnell, her sister, Marjorie Bryant, sister-in-law, Carol Hand and her nieces and nephews. 

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Clifford William Hand and brother-in-law, Robert Bryant.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday, December 2, 2024 and continue from 10:30 a.m. until time of funeral services at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2024 and Gent Funeral Home in Alton.Pastor Jerry Wray will officiate.

Burial will be at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey.

Memorials may be made to the Bethalto Presbyterian Church.

Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.

Obit Provided By:
Gent Funeral Home