Carl Schroeder, 95, died on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, in Hillsboro.
A memorial service with military honors will be held at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield at a later date. Litchfield Family Funeral Service is assisting the family.
Mr. Schroeder was born in 1925, in Chicago, to Paul and Anna (Schaefer) Schroeder. Upon his return from his service in 1946, he married Gloria in Chicago, and she survives.
He graduated from Lane Technical High School in 1942, where he met the love of his life at a high school dance.
The two would trip the light fantastic whenever they could until Mr. Schroeder was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943. He served in the India-Burma Theater where be became a staff sergeant, directing and supervising administrative sections of a headquarters organization. He was well-known as the guy who could get things done and became quite a whiz on the typewriter. During his three years overseas, he wrote letters to his mother and his wife every day without exception.
Mr Schroeder and his wife enjoyed dancing to the big bands, including the Glenn Miller Orchestra at the Aragon Ballroom. They traveled throughout the midwest with a square dancing group until the 1970s.
A work ethic second to none, he was employed by Argo-Collier Trucking Company in Chicago for 30 years before retiring to Shipman in 1983. In retirement, he continued his passion for fishing, making his own lures and always seeming to catch more fish than those lucky enough to accompany him. He also worked part-time at Jefferson Smurfit and Beaver Dam State Park.
Mr. Schroeder was active in the United Methodist Church, Martha’s Pantry and the Lion’s Club of which he served as president. Throughout his life, he had a knack for making those around him feel special.
He wrote letters, opened his home, cracked jokes and offered encouraging words. His witty, heartfelt, typewritten letters were infamous and brightened the days of his family and friends. He helped many people through difficult times with his acts of kindness. He was a devoted husband of 74 years, and was a proud and loving grandfather and uncle, who will be greatly missed.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Schroeder is survived by his son, David (Sherry) Schroeder of Cool Valley, MO; grandchildren, Laura (Dan) Kunze, Sean (Kelli) Schroeder, Scott Schroeder, Amanda Schroeder and Kyle Schroeder; great-grandchildren, Isabelle Kunze, Greta Kunze, Blake Schroeder and Brynlee Schroeder; daughter-in-law, Betty Schroeder; sister-in-law, Carol Schroeder; and nieces and nephews, John (Carol) Schroeder, Linda Schroeder, Kurt Schroeder, Bill (Susan) Keating, Michael (Beth) Keating and their children.
He was preceded in death by his sons, Paul, Richard and Dan Schroeder; parents; brothers, Walter and Paul Schroeder; daughter-in-law, Linda Mulso; sisters-in-law, Marilyn and Charlotte Schroeder and Rita Keating; brothers-in-law, Jim and William Keating; and nieces, Cathy and Jenny Keating.
Memorials may be directed to Martha’s Pantry, Shipman United Methodist Church, 278 Keating Street, Shipman, IL 62685.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.litchfieldffs.com.
