SCHAD, WILLIAM R.
The funeral for William R. “Bill” Schad, 80, of Havana, father of two area residents, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Havana, Father Michael Monclova officiating. A celebration of life will immediately follow at the church hall. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Hurley Funeral Home, Havana.
Mr. Schad died at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2000 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Springfield.
Memorials may be made to Havana Fire Department Rescue Squad.
He was born Nov. 13, 1919, in Jacksonville, Fla., the son of John Fallon and Gertrude Jeanette (McClatchey) Schad. He married Betty J. Kreeger March 4, 1945, in Kansas City, Mo. She survives.
Other survivors include four sons, William R. “Rusty” Schad Jr., Havana; Kenneth R. Schad, Chicago; James A. (Judy) Schad, Pekin; and Patrick F. Schad, Chatham; three daughters, Mary M. “Peggy” (Donna) Schad and Beth A. (Jon) Smith, both of Bloomington; and Kathy M. (Kent) Simmering, Auburn, Wash.; one daughter-in-law, Diane Schad, Havana; two sisters, Mrs. Dean (Jean) Batton, Pekin; and Dr. Margaret “Peggy” Hirtz, Tampa, Fla.
Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Andrea Schad, Lesley (Trent) Lamphier, Doug Simmering, Sarah Schad, Katie Schad, Justin Schad, Hunter Schad, Andrew Smith and Cydney Smith; and one great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn Nelson.
He is preceded in death by his brother Jack.
Mr. Schad grew up in Lynchburg, Va., and moved to Pekin when he was in his teens. While in Pekin, he worked for Soldwedal Dairy. He joined the U.S. Marines in January 1942, and attained the rank of staff sergeant. He was a member of the elite group, the Carlson Raiders, serving in the South Pacific until October 1944. At the end of WWII, he married Betty and moved to Pekin. In February 1946 he arrived in Havana, Ill., where he started his home delivery dairy service. He retired from Producers Dairy in September 1983.
He first became a fireman in August 1947. He remained a dedicated fireman for 50 years, having attained the rank of captain and fire marshall. He retired in 1997. A $500 scholarship fund for high school students was established by the Havana Fire Department in 1999 recognizing his 50 years of service.
He was a charter member of the Optimist Club and was instrumental in the building of the Optimist swimming pool.
He was an alderman of his district for six years.
In 1997, he was honored as Citizen of the Year for his untiring devotion toward community affairs.
He will be remembered for many things, including giving children rides in his milk truck, handing out cartons of chocolate milk, driving the fire truck in the parades and his endless hours of lending a helping hand.
He was a dear friend, a devoted husband, a loving father, a fabulous grandfather and a man deserving of great respect. He will be missed by all who knew him.