Julie Anne Kerr Shumaker, age 48, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago.
Julie was born July 19, 1974 in Moline, Illinois to Joseph H. Kerr and Louise “LuAnn” (Lund) Kerr. Julie was a 1992 graduate of Alleman Catholic High School in Rock Island. She was also a graduate of Illinois State University and Illinois Central College. Her career was spent as a Probation Officer, director of the Chenoa Teen Reach Program, paralegal, and most recently as an Information Security Manager with the Cyber Defense Center at State Farm in Bloomington, Illinois. She sat on the Boards of HIS Kids Preschool and the Livingston County Boys and Girls Club. She was the current Chenoa Township Clerk. Julie was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fairbury.
On July 2, 1999, she married Edward Shumaker III, the love of her life. Later that year they welcomed their son Edward IV. Three and a half years later, their daughter Lyndie joined the family. Julie was very active in her children’s lives. She never missed supporting them in school and sporting events. She was honored to support her husband as a proud Law Enforcement wife. Her enthusiasm, love, and strong family values were evident in every facet of her life.
People were drawn to Julie’s honest, caring, and uncensored personality. Her dynamic ability to comfort, care for, and make others laugh was extraordinary. Julie wasn’t just the life of the party; she WAS the party. To know Julie, was to love Julie.
Julie is survived by her husband of 23 years Edward Shumaker III, who never left her side during her six-month battle with leukemia. This was a true testament to their deep love for each other. She is also survived by her son Edward Shumaker IV (Caylie Carter); daughter, Lyndie Shumaker (Lyndon Whitfill); mother Louise “LuAnn” Kerr; sister, Carrie Kerr; niece, Jozie Kerr; mother-in-law, Sarah Jane Shumaker; sister-in-law, Shelbi Shumaker; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her son, Jacob Shumaker; her father, Joseph H. Kerr; maternal grandparents, Holger and Carolyn Lund; paternal grandparents, William and Ruth Kerr; father-in-law Edward Shumaker Jr.; and uncle, H. John Lund.
Family, friends, and others whose lives Julie touched are invited to the First Baptist Church of Fairbury on Friday, January 20th to reminisce, grieve, and celebrate Julie's life. The visitation is from 10am -1pm with the funeral at 1pm at the conclusion of visitation. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to The Family for Children’s Education Fund, 1st Baptist Church of Fairbury or Leukemia Lymphatic Society.
