Rev. Herman Gustav "Gus" Schroeder

Rev. Herman Gustav "Gus" Schroeder, 84, of Vienna, IL passed away peacefully on January 6, 2009. Mr. Schroeder was retired from the IL Correctional Facilities and from the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. He served the Lord faithfully for over 45 years pastoring churches, pulpit supply, leading prison prayer groups as a part of Prison Fellowship, participation in Presbytery meetings and local ministerial associations. He attended the Taylor United Methodist Church. He also wrote "Still Waters" for many papers including the Vienna Times. He took an active roll in trying to improve communities in which he resided. He was very active in the Ministerial Alliance of Vienna and Johnson County. He helped establish the Hospitality House, a place where the families of prison inmates can stay while visiting loved ones. He was also very instrumental in establishing the 911 system in Johnson County. He was a faithful and loving husband to Frances Lee Schroeder (Whiteside) for over 57 years and a wonderful father and grandfather. He was born to Mr. and Mrs. Albertus Schroeder on August 16, 1924 in Washington, DC. He graduated high school from Central High School in Washington DC. He served his country in the army during World War II as a member of the 275th Armored Artillery. Then went on to earn his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Sociology as well as a Master's of Divinity. Mr. Schroeder is survived by his wife Frances Lee Schroeder, his brother Bert and Helen Schroeder of Novato, CA, his brother Bob and Opal Schroeder of Tuscan, AZ, his daughter Suzanne and Terry Neff of Red Bud, IL, son Herman Gustav Schroeder, Jr of Memphis, TN and daughter Mary Lyn and Mark Garwood of Afton, VA. He also is survived by 7 grandchildren: Dacia Burks, Danielle and Jeff Byars, Ginger Barriger, Nicholas Schroeder, Frances Garwood and Christopher Garwood as well as 6 great-grandchildren. He has enriched the life of everyone who met him and he will be greatly missed by one and all. He would want it known that he had prepared and was ready to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and he would hope that each of you are ready to meet Him also. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, January 9, 2009 at 1 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Rev. Lynn Butler will officiate. Burial will be in the Casey Springs Cemetery near Vienna, IL. Friends may call from 11:30 AM - 1 PM at Friday at the Bailey Funeral Home. The family requests that memorials be sent to Casey Springs Church and Cemetery c/o Judy Huckleberry P. O. 915 Pond Road, Vienna, IL 62995.

Rev. Herman Gustav "Gus" Schroeder

August 16, 1924 - January 6, 2009