Susan Marie (Chesla) Shumake was born March 31, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois to Frank Vincent Chesla and Marian Frances Terrell. She grew up in Wood Dale, Illinois and attended Addison Trail High School. After graduation, she worked several jobs in the Chicago area, including a job with the U.S. Department of Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA).

Memorial Service: 11:00 am, Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Lakeview Fellowship Church, 9940 Morris Dido Newark Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76179.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully request, donations can be made to Lakeview Fellowship Church.

In 1981, she moved to Phoenix, Arizona to be near her mother, Marian and stepfather, Jacob Alexander Kniskern. Ultimately, Susan ended up working at the DCMA office in Phoenix, where she met her husband to be, Mark Edward Shumake. Susan and Mark were married in Chandler, Arizona on November 30, 1991. They were married for almost 32 years, living, and working in various cities including Phoenix, Denver, Austin, and eventually, Fort Worth. Susan retired from her U.S. Government career on October 31, 2014, with 37 years of faithful service. She and Mark lived in Fort Worth until her recent passing.

She had many interests, including crafting, sewing, cooking and her favorite hobby, quilting. She was a member of two quilting guilds, a friendship bee, and she was a coordinator for quilting retreats at the Red Boot Retreat in Hillsboro, Texas. One of Susan's friends described her as a "people collector." People were drawn to her because of her kindness, logic and truthful nature. Susan passed away at home suddenly on November 26, 2023.

She is survived by her husband, Mark; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Cathy Kniskern of Elmhurst, Illinois; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Jade Kniskern of Golden, Colorado; brother, Frederick Kniskern of Phoenix, Arizona; brother, Frank Chesla Jr. of Central City, Kentucky; nephew and wife, Robert and Jennifer Kniskern of Mundelein, Illinois; niece and husband, Yalan and Kyotaek Choi of South Korea; and her great nephews, Mason Kniskern and Peyton Kniskern of Mundelein, Illinois. She will be greatly missed by many, many friends and family members.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5: 9.