Thomas retired from Monsanto Chemical Co., Sauget, IL after 35 yrs. of service. He was a charter member of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Catholic Church. Mr. Schaefer was an avid golfer and a member of the T & T Golf league. He was active in the Cathedral High School class of 1945 alumni group, the Monsanto retirees group, and the Serra Club of St. Clair, County. Thomas was a WW II U. S. Navy veteran. He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Thomas was devoted to his family and friends. He never knew a stranger.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years , Mary J. (nee Bauer) Schaefer, whom he married August 21, 1948 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Belleville, and who died Nov 29,2004;
his parents, Peter and Bertha (nee Hoffmann) Schaefer, six brothers, Hugo, Richard, James, Ralph, Daniel, and Raynaud and five sisters, Etta, Sylvia, Marilyn, Sister Dolly, and Virginia.
Surviving are a son, Scott (Karen) Schaefer and a daughter Andrea (Thad) Mueller both of Belleville, IL: seven grandchildren, Will Mueller, Jessica (Brent) Smith, Caitlin (Jacob) Mesecher, Allison, Kevin, Michael, and Daniel Schaefer; two great-grandchildren Cooper and Parker Smith. Also surviving are two sisters Alice Holtgrewe of Mascoutah, IL and Sister Joan Schaefer SSND of Chatawa, MS; brother-in-law, Roy Rothweiler, sisters-in-law Doris Bauer, Adele Schaefer and Mary Schaefer; and numerous extended family members and friends.
Memorials may be made to St. Augustine Catholic Church or the Serra Club of St. Clair County. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday , July 17, 2016, and from 8 to 9:45 am Monday at George Renner and Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral Procession to leave 9:45 am Monday, July 18, 2016 from George Renner and Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL to St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church for a 10 am Mass of Christian burial with Msgr. William McGhee officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Valhalla Gardens of Memory.
Arrangements by George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL
Condolences Left For Thomas F. Schaefer
Sorry we could not be there in person. Tom and family are in our thoughts and prayers. Please accept our sympathy.
Wes and Joan Scheller
Wes & Joan Scheller, Belleville, IL, 62220
Andrea and Scott, Sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. I always remember visiting your house, and especially my Grandma being your babysitter. Your Dad always seemed so quiet and calm, at least to me as a child. Wish we could have visited more at Mom’s memorial. Take care, Love, Karen
Karen and Steve Adkins, Roseburg, OR, 97471
Uncle Tom always had a smile on his face, was always happy to see you, and always had nothing but nice things to say. He was such a kind-hearted man and my family and I loved him very much and will miss him greatly. Andy and Scott, we send our sympathy and love to you and your families.
Denise
Denise (Bauer) Lewis, Jacksonville , Florida, 32259
Andrea and Scott,
We’re so sorry to hear of Uncle Tom’s death. I still remember him as he looked in the picture in his obituary, and of course over the many years later as he came and visited and joked with us at the family gatherings. Dear Uncle Tom, we will miss him. Love, Cathy & husband Jim
Cathy Bauer Rakowski, Bremen, IN, 46506