Mr. Schulte retired from AT&T after 43 years of service and was a member of the Communication Workers of America (CWA) and the Telephone Pioneers of America. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Cathedral Parish, Belleville, IL. He was a 50-year member of the Catholic Knights & Ladies of Illinois and a member of Belleville-Swansea Moose Lodge 1221. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Joe was a cable and telephone instructor during the Korean War.
Joe was a friend to all. He always had a kind word to say and a helping hand to lend. He enjoyed casino outings (with his lucky number 7), frequenting area coffee and donut shops, and dancing with his beautiful wife. Favorite times were spent at his lake house at the Lake of the Ozarks and taking his grandchildren for rides in his antique cars.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Rosa, nee Dust, Schulte; a granddaughter, Becky Kinzel Neighbors; four brothers, LeRoy in infancy, Frank (Opal) Schulte, Bernard Jr. (Doris) (Colleen) Schulte, and Elmer Schulte; and four sisters, Jean (Eugene) Raab, Dorothy (Joe) Kramkowski, Vera (Edward) Sutter, and Viola (Ed) Schuff.
Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Helen D., nee Stevenson, Schulte, whom he married on September 2, 1950;
five children, Barbara S. (David) Bruss of Hecker, IL,
Jane M. (Barry) Kinzel of Smithton, IL,
Michael J. (Judy) Schulte of Linn Creek, MO,
David S. (Nancy) Schulte and Mary E. (David) Mueller, both of Belleville, IL;
20 grandchildren, Susan Lanter, Melissa (Orrie) Yaugo,
Tracie (Douglas) Kloeppel, Jason Kinzel (Amanda Cox),
Gene Neighbors, Kenneth (Dawn) Schulte,
Benjamin (Amy) Schulte, Derek Schulte,
Joseph Mueller (Sarah Larsen), Justin (Shelby Crawford) Mueller,
Christopher (Bridget) Bruss, Debbie (Don) Schauchner, Michael (Amanda) Bruss,
Laura (William) Wilson, Joseph (Christy) Bruss, Nicholas Bruss,
Amy (Howard) Rector, Tammy (Mark) Kenniston, Ginny (Jason) Golden,
and Kelly (Jay) Edwards;
33 great-grandchildren;
sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Bernice Ash of Richardson, TX,
and Nicholas (Jackie) Stevenson of Belleville, IL;
and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Cathedral Grade School, in the form of Masses, or to Vitas Hospice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2015, and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2015, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral procession will leave at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2015, from the funeral home for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. John Myler officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
Condolences Left For Joseph Schulte
One of the best and funniest co-workers any one could have. We spent a lot of days working together in all kinds of weather. He once pulled seniority on me and made me shovel snow to get our truck out of an ally after I told him he should not even try to make it through..He thought it was funny of course…but we had great times together…
Jim, Freeburg, Illinois, 62243
Please except our condolences. Your family is in our thoughts.
Al & Kathy Range, Smithton, IL, 62285
We know that what you are going through right now is very difficult, just know that everyone is in our prayers. We are truly sorry for your loss.
Bruss Family Joe, Christy,& Thaddeous, Alton Bay, NH, 03810
mary @ david sending our sympathy to you and your sons
louie @ ruth billhartz, belleville, ills., 62221
We are sad to learn that Uncle Joe died and so sorry that we cannot be there for you all. He was a wonderful, caring man and left us with many happy memories.
Rita & Harold Poulsen, Columbus, IN, 47201
We are sad to learn that Uncle Joe died and so sorry that we cannot be there for you all. He was a wonderful, caring man and left us with many happy memories.
Rita & Harold Poulsen, Columbus, IN, 47201
So sorry to hear about uncle Joey he was always friendly to everybody wish I could be there for the family I will never forget about him
Rochelle & Ron Cosby , Kingman, Arizona, 86409
We are sorry for the passing of Joe – he and Helen were part of the original Friday night group (Lerners). He was a great man and we will alway remember “Lets have one for the ditch”.
Bob and Norma Simpson, Smithton, Il, 62285
Barb, Jane & Mike,
We’ll always remember how welcoming your Dad was to us so many years ago. He was quick with a joke and a really nice person. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Dan & Marcia Forcade, Chandler, Arizona, 85249
RIP Ole Friend. Always a smile on his face. Prayers to the family.
mark mullen, freeburg, il, 62243
Joe was one genuine guy to work with. Every morning at work (AT&T), he had HIS chair in the breakroom waiting to start work for the day. No one sat in that chair but Joe and everyone knew that. He never seemed to age — always looked the same through the years. Peace be with everyone in the family. Rest in peace, Joe.
Ken Harris, Belleville, Illinois, 62226
Having gone through grade school and high school with Joe, I remember him as about the easiest person to befriend. He was kind, steady, reliable, and had a great sense of humor — a person you just liked to be around. God bless him and comfort those who mourn him. Our prayers and sympathy.
Marion (Gus) Reis, Wheaton, Illinois, 60189