Ronald C. Shoecraft

Ronald C. Shoecraft, 79, of Hendersonville passed away Monday, January 4, 2010. Born in Syracuse, NY, he was the son of the late Chester and Lillian Cadd Shoecraft. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Lorraine A. Mancroni and Marie L. Nesci.

Before moving to Hendersonville in 1992, Ron resided in Lewiston, NY, Lewisburg, PA, Stoughton, MA, and North Tonawanda, NY, and Syracuse, NY. He was a graduate of Chittenango High School and was employed with Continental Can Co. for 11 years and Moore Business Forms for 31 years before retiring in 1990.

Ron was the former secretary of the Blue Ridge Center for Lifelong Learning and of the Country Meadows HOA. He was also a member of the Friends of the Library.

Throughout his life, Ron enjoyed outdoor activities, such as fishing, camping, and hiking. He was a college football enthusiast, devoted to the Penn State Nittany Lions. He was an avid reader and always enjoyed a good book. He enjoyed collecting antiques, garage sales, and taking trips to visit his children and grandchildren, whom he loved very much. He was a wonderful public speaker with a tremendous sense of humor and always enjoyed a fine ale.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rita Mary (Bucher) Shoecraft; daughter, Susan Thiebaud of Hillsboro, OR; sons, Michael Shoecraft and wife, Margaret of San Diego, CA, Kurt Shoecraft and wife, Kelley of Williamston, MI, and Steven Shoecraft and wife, Allyson of Lewiston, NY; grandchildren, Kendall, Tara, Leah, and Kathryn; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held at 4 PM Friday, January 8, 2010 in the Kirby Memorial Chapel of Shuler Funeral Home. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2PM ñ 4PM at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Henderson County Friends of the Library, 301 N. Washington Street, Hendersonville, NC 28739, the American Heart Association, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216, or the Carl Sandburg Home, 81 Carl Sandburg Lane, Flat Rock, NC 28731.