Emogene Lou Shomaker, age 96, of Marne, passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at Morrison House Hospice in Zanesville. She was born April 17, 1930 in Newark, Ohio to the late Marion James Shomaker and the late Lelia Blanche (Mears) Shomaker.

Emogene was a schoolteacher for Newark City Schools for 45 years, teaching at Lincoln and Conrad Elementary schools. A founding member of the National Heisey Glass Museum, she enjoyed collecting Heisey, Fenton, and other collectibles. She was a member of the Mound Builders Rose Club and enjoyed gardening, playing cards, and working puzzles. Emogene loved animals and had many special pets over the years.

She is survived by her niece and nephews, Judy (Bob) Swingle, Jeff Shomaker (Marcia Busler), and Tom (Connie) Shomaker; many great and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to her great niece, Marcy (Matthew) Rausch, great-great-niece, Keyara Rausch, and great-great-nephew, Darien Leglise, for the wonderful care they took of Emogene, and great-niece, Lissa Lenahan, for the cards and gifts she sent that lifted Emogene’s spirits.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Leland and Eleanor Shomaker; and nieces, Cathy Lees and Christine Anderton.

A celebration of Emogene’s life will be held on Wednesday, August 26, from 4-6 p.m. at the Kirkersville United Methodist Church, 180 East Main Street, Kirkersville, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Wilds at www.TheWilds.org

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Emogene and her family.