Donald E. Schomacker

Rev. Donald E. Schomacker died September 28, 2010. His life spanned eighty-one years as husband and father, pastor and counselor, writer and reader, and prophet and photographer, interim minister and civil rights advocate.

Shaped by the Great Depression, World War II and segregation, Don had a lifelong commitment to justice and reconciliation

Following his undergraduate years at Northwestern University in 1946-1952, Don attended McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. He was ordained at First United Presbyterian Church in Benton AR in July, 1957 just weeks before 9 black students enrolled at Central High School in Little Rock. This event shaped the remainder of his ministry.

In January 1963 Rev. Schomacker moved to Wyandotte County. For the next 32 years he served churches across the Heartland Presbytery as both called and interim pastor. His outreach included Wyandotte County, Heartland Presbytery Center, and various board and ecumenical involvements. He also served on the Youth Symphony Board. He completed a Master of Counselor and Guidance at UMKC, Rev. Schomacker and worked in the mental health field.

Rev. Schomacker attended the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in March, 1963 with other representatives of the KC faith community. He and his first wife Twila were also part of an ecumenical delegation to the USSR in 1988 to celebrate "The Millennium of Christianity in Russia".

Don retired in October, 1995 but continued to serve pulpit supply across the presbytery.

In retirement, Don joined Heartland Presbytery teams to the Maya Quiche Presbytery in rural Guatemala. He also accompanied his wife, Rev. Diane Nunnelee, to townships outside Cape Town, in 1997-98, returning 2000 for church dedications and assisting teams in 2002, 2004 and 2006.

His first wife, Twila Burns, a nurse-educator, died in 1991 after 37 years of marriage. They were parents of four daughters: Rebecca Stouppe, Dr. Irene Schomacker, Sarah Bonebrake, and Martha Schomacker, who died in 1993. His brother, Gerald, preceded him in death earlier this year.

In addition to his daughters and their spouses/partners Jeff Stouppe, Bruce Sharemet and Peter Westerdahl, other family members mourning his death are his wife of 15 years, Diane Nunnelee; his sister Marilou Craig; amazing grandchildren Tim and Rebecca Bonebrake; Lena and Rubea Stouppe; Rob, Meg and Elly Sharemet; nieces Peggy Sowash and Theresa Roberts; nephew Scott Schomacker and many colleagues and friends.

Memorial Service and Visitation

Memorial service will be 3 p.m., Sunday, October 10, 2010, at the Second Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will follow service.