Joan M Schaefer

JOAN M. SCHAEFER , 88, of Ruma, Illinois, passed away at 3:34 am, Friday, May 24, 2024 at her residence surrounded by her family.

She was born to the late George and Agnes (nee Hess) Degenhardt on November 10, 1935 at St. Clement Hospital in Red Bud, Illinois. She was baptized by Msgr. Fred Witte at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ruma on November 14, 1935 and her sponsors were Henry A. and Natalie Hess.

Joan married the loved of her life, Clarence J. Schaefer, on November 17, 1956 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud, Illinois; he preceded her in death on January 23, 2013. After 11 years apart, they are together again dancing across heaven.

Joan was devoted to her family. She enjoyed planning family parties, and cherished spending time with her family and holding the babies. Boxing Easter eggs was a family tradition.

Joan could make family history interesting and come to life with storytelling. It was very important to Joan that her family understood their ancestry and always enjoyed giving history lessons. This is evident in the Degenhardt Cousins book. She was instrumental in getting it published. She was a contributor to the Randolph County History Book. She was involved in the planning of the 200th anniversary of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Joan was an avid quilter both at church and at home. She shared her love of quilting by presenting her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with quilts for special occasions.

Joan was a farmwife who enjoyed all of God’s nature. She loved being surrounded by flowers, plants, and growing crops. She also enjoyed antique tractors and tractor pulls.

Joan will be remembered by many as a leader of the Ruma Roadrunner’s 4-H Club, a position she held for 35 years. She was inducted into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame, Class of 2008. She was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball fan. She worked at Geo D. Bernard Printing Co. in St. Louis and then at First State Bank of Red Bud. Later in life, she worked at Town & Country Gas as the office manager in Chester, Illinois.

Joan was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, St. Patrick’s Quilters, Council of Catholic Women, Health Circle, and Randolph County Farm Bureau.

Survivors:

Blessed with 5 Children:

Michael (Jeannie) Schaefer Red Bud, IL

John (Kim) Schaefer Ruma, IL

Edward (Shirleen) Schaefer Hecker, IL

Raymond (Kari) Schaefer Red Bud, IL

Karen (Martin) Eschmann Waterloo, IL

12 Grandchildren:

Jeremy (Sarah) Schaefer, Amy (Russell) Humphreys, Jenny (Eric) Raup, Stacy (Fred) Morin, Eric Schaefer, Ryan (Holly) Schaefer, Carrie              (Aaron) Koester, Jamie (James) Ratz, Allen (Kayce) Schaefer, Andrew (Carrie) Schaefer, Emily Eschmann, and Nathan  (Caroline)                        Eschmann

25 Great-Grandchildren:

Peyton, Dylan, and Taylor Schaefer, Ethan and Owen Humphreys, Mason and Maple Raup, Molly and Melanie Morin, Landon, Lakin, and             Lance Schaefer, Brayden, Grace, Blake, and Jase Koester, Carson and Shelbie Ratz, Addison and Hudson Schaefer, Luke, Emma and                 Logan Schaefer, Bryce Eschmann, and Nora Schaefer

Preceded in death by: Parents and Husband

Funeral Mass:

10:00 am, Saturday, June 1, 2024

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ruma, Illinois

Officiating:

Msgr. Dennis Schaefer

Interment:

St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery

Ruma, Illinois

Visitation:

Friday – 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Saturday – 8:00 am – 9:30 am

Pechacek Funeral Homes, Red Bud, Illinois

Memorials:

St. Patrick’s Cemetery Fund

St. Patrick’s Quilting Fund