Robert “Bob” Carl Schroeder, 90, of Rolling Prairie, IN, died at 5:30 a.m. Thursday, July 25, 2013, at Rivercrest Specialty Hospital, Mishawaka, IN.
He was born July 4, 1923, in LaPorte to Martin and Gertrude (Neblung) Schroeder.
Bob retired from Rolling Prairie Elementary School in 1988 after 10 years of service. He honorably served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater and at the Battle of the Bulge, and received three Bronze Stars stars and a Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar for his service. Bob was a 50-year Kankakee Township Volunteer Fire Department Charter Member and received the Indiana Sagamore of The Wabash Award. He was a 1941 graduate of Rolling Prairie High School and a member of the sectional-winning basketball team. He enjoyed softball, auto racing, the Chicago Bears and all New Prairie sports.
On Aug. 12, 1943, in Attalla, AL, he married June (Prestin) Schroeder, who survives.
Also surviving are six children, Sandra (Lou) Lucas of Rolling Prairie, Michael (Ellie) Schroeder of Encampment, WY, Deborah (Gene) Jonas of LaPorte, Becky (David) Dodd of New Carlisle, IN, Nancy (Jeff) Plante of LaPorte, and Diana (Jim) Yerbey of LaPorte; one sister, Dorothy Wolfe of Rolling Prairie; three brothers, Ervin (Margarite) Schroeder of Rolling Prairie, Howard Schroeder of Lowell, IN, and Milton (Delores) Schroeder of Rolling Prairie; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Joyce Schroeder; 12 grandchildren, Payge Jonas, Jennifer Head, Jason Schroeder, Jeremie Schroeder and Jessica Zuck, Jamie Jonas, Andrew Jonas, Geoffrey Lucas and Tracey Chiarito, Anissa Haack, Gretchien Smith, and Christien Schoof; 24 great-grandchildren; former daughter-in-law and friend, Gail Schroeder-Hartman; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents and four brothers, Harold, Wesley, Martin and Charles, preceded him in death.
A funeral celebrating his life will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, July 29, at Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, LaPorte, with Pastor Ransom Ebersole officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 4 p.m. until the service. Burial will take place at Rolling Prairie Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kankakee Township Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 214, Rolling Prairie, IN 46371.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.LakeviewFHC.com.