Helen M. Shoemaker

Former resident of Pinckneyville, Du Quoin area, Helen M. (Martin) Shoemaker, age 88 passed away Sunday morning, April 14, 2002 in Albuquerque Manor, Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she lived close to her son. She was born on November 1, 1913 to John and Agnes (Rulevish) Koss. She married the former James A. Martin of Du Quoin, and to this union was born two children, Michael and Mary Ann. She was preceded in death by her husband James in 1958. She later married Cloyd L. Shoemaker and he passed away in 1993. Also preceding her in death were her parents, John and Agnes Koss of Pinckneyville, and three brothers, George Kosmatka of California, Leonard Koss of California, and Edward Koss of Pinckneyville. Surviving are her children, a son Michael Martin and wife Connie of, Sandia Park N.M., a daughter Mary Ann Murry and husband Keith of Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas, five grandchildren, Jim Martin and wife Rebecca of Albuquerque, Jeff Martin of Albuquerque, Tracy Morgan and husband Heath of Signal Mt., Tennessee, Cindy Maples and husband Rusty of Carterville, Illinois, and Fr. Trevor Murry of Rome, Italy. She also is survived by five great-grandchildren Heather and Kaelyn Martin, Silas and Cole Morgan, and Anastasia Carroll. Funeral arrangements by cremation were being taken care of in Albuquerque. Memorial masses are being said by her children and grandchildren throughout the world. Final burial will be at St. Bruno Cemetery in Pinckneyville, Illinois this summer. A memorial mass will be held with her grandson Rev. Trevor Murry and Rev. John Venegoni officiating at St. Bruno Catholic Church at that time.

