CLARENCE J. SCHAEFER, 83, of Ruma, Illinois, passed away at 12:25 am, Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at Red Bud Regional Hospital, Red Bud, Illinois with his loving family by his side. He was born to the late Jacob H. and Frances C. (nee Eschmann) Schaefer on February 2, 1929 in Waterloo, Illinois. Clarence was of the Catholic faith. He was baptized on February 3, 1929 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo, Illinois, by the Rev Charles Eschmann. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Ruma, Illinois. Clarence married to Joan Mary (nee Degenhardt) Schaefer on November 17, 1956 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud, Illinois; she survives. He served with the engineers in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed at 808 Engineering Aviation Battalion, Kunsan Air Base. Clarence was a milk truck driver and then farmed for many years. He retired as a concrete truck driver. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and cooking for a crowd. Survivors: Wife Joan Schaefer Ruma, IL 5 Children Michael (Jeannie) Schaefer Red Bud, IL John (Kim) Schaefer Ruma, IL Edward (Shirleen) Schaefer Waterloo, IL Raymond (Kari) Schaefer Red Bud, IL Karen (Martin) Eschmann Waterloo, IL 12 Grandchildren Jeremy (Sarah) Schaefer, Amy (Russell) Humphreys, Jenny (fiancé Eric Raup) Schaefer, Stacy (Fred) Morin, Eric (Alicia) Schaefer, Ryan Schaefer, Carrie (Aaron) Koester, Jamie Schaefer, Allen Schaefer, Andrew Schaefer, Emily Eschmann and Nathan Eschmann 7 Great Grandchildren Ethan Humphreys, Peyton Schaefer, Brayden Koester, Grace Koester, Owen Humphreys, Dylan Schaefer and Molly Morin. 4 Brothers: Henry Schaefer Red Bud, IL Albert (Joyce) Schaefer Evansville, IL Robert (Martha) Schaefer Evansville, IL Martin (Jean) Schaefer Red Bud, IL 3 Sisters: Regina (Robert) Scherle Evansville, IL Frances (Norman) Rahn Red Bud, IL Marie Hess Red Bud, IL Special Friends of the Family Julie Schaefer, Kayce Matzenbacher, Bethany Klein and James Ratz Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends Preceded in death by: Parents, 3 Sisters - Gertrude (Leo M.) Pautler, Josephine Smith and infant Theresa Schaefer and 1 Brother - William Schaefer. Funeral Mass: 11:00 am, Saturday, January 26, 2013 St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Ruma, Illinois Officiating: Father Clyde Grogan Visitation: Friday - 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Saturday - 8:00 am - 10:30 am Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home, Red Bud, Illinois Interment: St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery Ruma, Illinois Memorials: St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery Fund Hospice of Southern Illinois Family Wishes
