Rev. Schwartzkopf was a retired Lutheran minister. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a chaplain for 10 years. After retiring from the military, Elmer served as chaplain in the Air Force Reserve at Scott AFB while at the Lutheran Altenheim in St. Louis, MO, ministering to many individuals, retirement homes, and churches in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Elmer was a member of Troy VFW Post 976 and Steeleville American Legion Post 480.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Ann Schwartzkopf, nee Cantrell; a former wife and mother of his nine children, Delores Martin, nee Weber; his son, Charles “Pete” Schwartzkopf; his parents, Louis John and Emma Anna Schwartzkopf, nee Gerlach; two brothers, Luther and Louis Schwartzkopf; a sister, Dorothy Scott; a granddaughter, Jenny Schwartzkopf; a stepson, Thomas Schultze; and a daughter-in-law, Bernadette Schwartzkopf.
Surviving are his eight children, Louis John “Skip” (Mary) Schwartzkopf,
Laury Edmund “Larry” Schwartzkopf,
Emmet Lyle “Nick” (Carrie) Schwartzkopf,
Linda Lee (Charles) Hieber,
Cloyd Christi “Chris” Schwartzkopf,
Deborah Jean (Richard) Breeze,
David Wayne (Patricia) Schwartzkopf,
and Roxanne Schwartzkopf;
18 grandchildren;
25 great-grandchildren;
and four great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Jews for Jesus, 60 Haight St., San Francisco, CA 94102, or to Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 29, 2015, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2015, at the funeral home with Rev. Bruce Keseman and Rev. Al Jenneke officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO. A gathering will be held afterward at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Freeburg, IL.
Condolences Left For Rev. Elmer Schwartzkopf
To all of Elmer Family please have my sympathy. I have been glad to know and share some rare moments of LIFE with him a great gentleman so very fine and Love Jesus Christ as his Savior.
Michael Vallett, Stee;eville, IL, 62288
We want to extend our sincere sympathies to Pastor’s family. He was a wonderful man. May God give you comfort during this time and always. Emma and Don Ritter
Emma and Don Ritter, Steeleville, Illinois, 62288
To the family and friends of Elmer: Our deepest sympathy and prayers for God’s peace and comfort. We knew Elmer years ago when he and Shirley lived in Troy, IL Many wonderful memories of times together in worship and fellowship.
Howard and Carolyn Oakley, Troy, IL, 62294
There are so many wonderful things to remember about Pastor I don’t know where to begin, but then you, his family know that so much better than I do. God blessed Pastor with an unending love for the Word, and the ability to share it with people in so many situations. I loved to share cards with Pastor–when he was able, he thanked me for them. One time he told me he had all the ones I ever sent him-I don’t know if that was true or not, but I so enjoyed sharing them with him.
If it were possible I would have come tonight (Mon.), but I could not. You are all in my prayers for peace, and a whole lot of wonderful memories.
We sent a memorial to Bethesda Lutheran Communities in memory of Pastor. I’m sorry but I don’t have any of your addresses to tell you that in a more personal way, but this will have to do.
I can just see Pastor now in His Father’s house-busy, still sharing the Word with everyone there.
Helen Mayer, Cutler, Illinois, 62238