Philip J. Schneider, 80, of Beckemeyer died September 19, 2013, 2013 at 9:55 p.m. at Carlyle Healthcare Center.
He was born December 19, 1932, to Alfred G. and Catherine T. (Walker) Schneider on the family farm north of Vergennes IL. His parents preceded him in death.
He is survived by four sisters, Jo and "Whitey" Monroe White of Troy, Agnes White of Hoffman, Sister Edith Schneider PHJC of Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz Mexico and Clara and Roger Locher of Sabetha KS, sister-in-law Dolores Schneider of Carlyle and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces/nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brothers, sisters and brothers-in-law Adolph "Sonny" Schneider, Mary and Olen Crow, Rose and Carl "Jim" Szczeblewski, Alfred T. Schneider, Cathy and Bill Stutz and John H. White.
Philip graduated from Old Vergennes Grade School, a one-room school house near the family farm. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Du Quoin, where he was baptized, received his First Holy Communion and His Solemn Communion, and was confirmed. In 1955 the family moved to Beckemeyer. Philip worked at Carlyle Nursing Home for 48 years. He was an active 3rd Degree member of Knights of Columbus Council #1382 in Carlyle, the Clinton County Farm Bureau and an active parishioner of St. Anthony Church in Beckemeyer, where he was the "official" bell ringer for weekend Masses.
Philip loved to visit and talk with people, ride his bike around town, enjoyed playing bingo and was a devoted collector of aluminum cans giving some of the money to the Carlyle Knights of Columbus when he cashed in the cans.
Philip will be especially remembered by the school children at St. Anthony School where he often joined the kids on the playground at recess and lunch time; and by the many people he befriended through working at Carlyle Healthcare Center.
Visitation will be at Frerker Funeral Home in Carlyle Sunday, September 22, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service by Deacon Bob Lippert at
7:30 p.m.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anthony Church in Beckemeyer on Monday, September 23 at 11:00 AM by Father George Mauck and Deacon Bob Lippert assisted by the acolytes, St. Anthony Choir and the sacristans. Burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery in Beckemeyer.
Everyone is invited to the Celebration of Life luncheon at Beckemeyer American Legion following the services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Anthony Church, Pregnancy Care Clinic in Centralia/Salem, Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ for Sister Edith's Mexico ministry, or donor's choice. Donations will be received at Frerker Funeral Home.