Raymond L. Schaeffer

Raymond L. Schaeffer, 89, of Carlyle, died on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Healthcare Center in Carlyle, IL.
Ray was born on the family farm south of Beckemeyer on August 13, 1922 to Louis and Cecilia (Beckmann) Schaeffer. After his mother died in December 1927, he was raised by his uncle and aunt, Fred (Fritz) and Elizabeth Beckmann, in Bartelso. After graduating from grade school in Bartelso in 1936, he worked as a farmhand in the Bartelso area. He went to work at the Moran shoe factory in Carlyle in 1941 and it was there that he met his future wife, Dorothy Schiermann, of Carlyle. He and Dorothy were married at St. Mary Church in Carlyle on July 11, 1944. Ray served in General Dean’s 44th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army in Europe in WWII. He worked as a bricklayer and contractor for many years and later was a life insurance salesman for CK&L of I. Ray was an active member and past commander of the VFW in Carlyle. He was also a charter member of the Bartelso Catholic War Veterans, and a member of the Beckemeyer American Legion and Carlyle Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years and their six children and spouses: Kay (Ed) Agustin of Naperville, IL, Barb (Dan) Haselhorst of Trenton, IL, Marilyn (Gary) Setser of Granite City, IL, Dan (Maureen) Schaeffer of Batavia, IL, Pat (Rich) Boien of Trenton, IL, and Dave (Kathy) Schaeffer of Carlyle, and by 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Vic Schaeffer, of Carlyle, IL, a sister, Stella Koenig, of Caseyville, IL, and by sisters-in-law, Alvina Schaeffer of Mascoutah, IL, and Janet Schniers of Livonia, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents and by brothers John Schaeffer and Cyril Schniers, sister, Mary Gehrs, and by sister-in-law, Mary Alice Schaeffer, and brothers-in-law, Ferdy Gehrs and Kenny Koenig.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at St. Mary Church in Carlyle with Rev. George Mauck officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery in Carlyle.
Friends may visit with the family Friday, May 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. or on Saturday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Frerker Funeral Home in Carlyle.
Expressions of sympathy are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association or St. Mary's Church and those will be received at the Frerker Funeral Home which is serving the family.