James Martin Shemwell

James Martin Shemwell, 80, of Mexico, died Sunday, November 13, 2016, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico. James Martin Shemwell was born on May 1, 1936 in Boonville, to Bishop Wilson and Gussie Lee (Finnell) Shemwell. The family moved to Columbia in 1940. James married Eleanor N. Hindman on August 4, 1961, in Charleroi, Pa. To this marriage were born two sons and one daughter: Ted W. Shemwell of Clinton, Iowa, Timothy Shemwell of Palmyra, and Traci Standifer of Monroe City. Eleanor preceded him in death on November 19, 2004. Jim married Barbara Wilson in April 2006, and she survives of the home. Jim was educated in the Columbia Missouri Public Schools, graduating from Hickman High School in 1954. He then served for three years in the United States Army in Germany and returned after service to attend and graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri in 1962. From 1962 to 1970, Jim worked in industry as a production supervisor for Ford Motor Company, Olin Mathieson Chemical Company, and Corning Glass Works. In 1969, Jim felt the call to ministry and entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1970, and he graduated with a Masters of Divinity Degree in 1973. He received his License to Preach on May 1, 1970. During his seminary days, he served several local churches in the Louisville, Ky. area, including, Beard Street, Trinity Temple, and West-Point Hillview. Late in 1973, the family moved to the Missouri East Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and served the following churches: Cabool, Shelbina-Hunnewell, Clayton, Perryville-York Chapel, Fenton, and Mexico United Methodist. He retired July 1, 2001, and remained in Mexico after retirement. Rev. Shemwell was active in the Masonic Lodge and served as Worshipful Master of the Perryville Lodge # 670 AF & AM, and was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He also served as a Grand Chaplain for the Grand Lodge AF & AM of Missouri. He remained a member as he moved from one church to another of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, and a board member of the Crime Stoppers. He served as a law enforcement officer in two states, and served as Chaplain for four different law enforcement organizations. He served 10 years as a volunteer fire fighter in West Point, Ky., Cabool, and Perryville, Mo. A year before his retirement, he became a chaplain for the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Rev. Shemwell is survived by his wife, Barbara of the home; two sons and a daughter; four grandchildren, Grace Shemwell, James Mitchell Shemwell, Gussie Lee Shemwell, and Keller Christine Shemwell; a step-son, Tom Wilson; and three step-grandchildren, Allison Wilson, Ian Wilson, and Nick Conrad. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 17, 2016, at the Mexico United Methodist Church with Rev. Karen Taylor officiating. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Arnold Funeral Home witha Masonic Lodge Service at 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Mexico United Methodist Church or the Mexico Veterans Home Staff Development Fund in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson, Mexico, MO 65265. Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com