Elmer F. Schrage

Elmer Schrage, 78, of Breese, died Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis MO. He was born September 28, 1939 in St. Rose, IL, Son of Fred & Dorothea (Buehne) Schrage. He married Frances E. "Fran" Wetherell on June 15, 1960 in Ottawa, IL. She preceded him in death Wednesday, April 26, 2006.

He is survived by two sons, Scott Schrage and Chad Schrage both of Breese and special friend Connie Trokey. He is survived by 3 sisters, Bernita Mensing of Breese, Bridget Zimmermann of Fairview Heights, Helen Wolters of Breese, & Sister-in-law Katie Schrage of Breese Sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joan Bourne and husband Jon of Pontiac, IL; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Preceded in death by: Brother Ralph Schrage of Breese Brother & Sister-in-law Alfred & Alice Schrage of Breese Brother & Sister-in-law Paul & Judy Schrage of Highland Brother & Sister-in-law Richard & Darlene Schrage of Breese Sister Arlene & Gerhard Peek of Aviston Sister & Brother-in-law Elsie & Louis Holtrave of St. Rose Sister Rosalie Schrage at age six. Brother-in-law Alvin Mensing Brother-in-law Gary Zimmermann Brother-in-law Bernard Wolters.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law & mother-in-law, Fred. & Erma (Hollenbeck) Wetherell He was also preceded in death by Nieces, Sandy Strobl and Darlene Peek, nephews, Mark Schrage, Wayne Schrage, Ken Schrage, Denny Holtgrave Danny Wolters and Glenn Peek.

Mr. Schrage was a retired Councilor from Triad High School in Troy, IL after 33 years of dedicated service In his earlier years he taught at Nashville High School in Nashville, IL. After retiring from the school systems Elmer work as an Engineer at Brown, Ruffman & Roberts for 12 year. He also served the NBWA Water District #3 for over 20 years. He was a member of St. Dominic Parish and an Active member of St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary and 40 year member of Breese Lions serving as: Past President 1985-86 President 1984-85 1st Vice-President 1983-84 2nd Vice-President 1982-83 3rd Vice President 1981-82 Director 2004-2005 Director 2006-2007 He received his elementary education at St. Rose Grade School & then graduated from Aviston High School. Elmer graduated from SIUC and went on to continue his college education at SIUE. He enjoyed cutting & splitting wood, traveling and volunteering with various organizations.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am, Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese with Father Patrick Peter and Father Larry Nichols, ofm officiating. Interment will follow at St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery in Breese.

Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 and on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. at Nordike Funeral Home in Breese.

Memorials may be made to St. Dominic’s Catholic Cemetery in Breese and will be received at the funeral home.

St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary will have an Honor Guard at the Breese Lions will meet at the funeral home at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.