Final Salute

Francis Allen Shumaker, age 79, of Manhattan, Kansas lost his battle to cancer on December 30th, 2023 at the Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice House in Manhattan KS.

He was born July 24th, 1944 in Topeka, Kansas the son of Edward and Dorothy (Hall) Shumaker.

Francis graduated from Alma High School in 1963.

In 1964 and 1965 Francis was assigned to two different ships in the Navy. The last ship he was assigned to in Vietnam, was transporting US Marines to sensitive locations. When he returned to the States he transferred out of the Navy into civilian life. He married in North Dakota and had two children. He worked odd jobs, then accepted a job for a trucking company, in Hayes, Kansas. There he hauled crude oil till 1969. Francis, then re-enlisted into the Navy Seabees and served one more year in Vietnam. At this time he had a family crisis, and had to come home on emergency leave to attend to his children’s welfare, where he placed them in a secure family plan. Then thirteen days later he returned to Vietnam to finish his tour. After his full tour was completed he then moved himself and his two children to his home town of Alma, Kansas. On September 3, 1971, he remarried to a wonderful woman, Yawanna Rose Adolph, who also had a child and Yawanna raised their family while he was working on his career. During the first six years, he worked at Goodyear in Topeka, Kansas. While working at Goodyear he re-enlisted into the Navy Seabee Reserves and was offered an opportunity to work for the Government, as a mechanic. He worked his way up the ladder to management at Fort Riley’s ECS 33 Maintenance Shop. With his career for the government he worked as a civilian five days a week and on weekends he served as active duty for the Army Reserves. In 1996, after twenty- nine years, he retired from the Reserves. In 2003 he retired from his Civil Service career of 31 years. After several years of retirement, in 2011 he decided he needed to keep busy, so he went to work for the Manhattan Mercury part-time fixing and collecting money from the newspaper stands in surrounding areas.

Francis enjoyed their trips to Branson. They would go several times during the years, and especially enjoyed Veterans Day, and watching the parade. He enjoyed people watching and meeting fellow Veterans. Francis was a family man and he loved his wife, kids, grandkids and bonus grandkids. He would never miss a sporting event or school activities. He was a type of guy that was ready to lend a hand to those who needed it at anytime. Francis was the most kind-hearted person you will ever meet. He left an impact on so many peoples lives.

Francis was a member of the American Legion Post #17. Francis was honored by being able to take the Honor Flight to Washington, DC in 2016.

Yawanna Shumaker survives of the home in Manhattan, KS. Additional survivors include his two daughters: Gloria Loberg and her husband Alan of Junction City, KS. and Lexanne Shumaker of Manhattan, Brother-in-law Lee (Tonja) Sharpe of Montana and daughter-in-law Billie Jean Shumaker of Florida: eight grandchildren: Bryan (Megan) Loberg, Brooke Lucas, Kelsie (Richard) Snowden, Kaylen Morris, Cody (Dana) Shumaker: eleven great grandchildren: Kylee Riechers, Kayda Loberg, Cheyenne and Boyd Lucas, Aaliyah Shumaker, Freya Bliss, Melody, Nathon and Harmony Snowden, and Eli and Aspen Shumaker, and his bonus grandkids Kole and Kody Daveron and Morgan Sharpe and many more.

Francis, always said he owes so much to his wife who stood by him keeping the household and family together. Also to his children who sacrificed so much while he was focused on his career. He still found time to give them all great memories and wonderful vacations.

Francis was preceded in death by his son Miles Shumaker that lost his battle to cancer on July 25th 2023, and his two sisters.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00am January, 13th 2023 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Pastor Jack Sweany officiating. A Celebration of Francis’s life will follow at the American Legion, 114 McCall Rd. Manhattan KS.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Good Sheperd Homecare and Hospice House or Honor Flight in Memory of Francis Shumaker. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.

Published by The Mercury from Jan. 6 to Jan. 7, 2024.