Arnold Schroeder, 96

Arnold J. Schroeder, 96, of Highland died on Sunday, March 13, 2016 at Aviston Countryside Manor.

A graveside funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30 at Resurrection Cemetery at St. George Church in New Baden, with Father Gene Neff, pastor of St. George Church, officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland.

He was born on Aug. 14, 1919 in Bartelso to John and Mary (Huene) Schroeder. He married Henrietta J. Wilken. She passed away on Oct. 25, 2002.

Mr. Schroeder grew up in Bartelso and worked on the family farm.

He served with the U.S. Army during World War II, from June 8, 1942 to Jan. 13, 1946, as a machine gunner in the Philippines and Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He received two Bronze Stars.

After the service, he returned to the metro-east and worked as a painter at Scott Air Force Base. He retired in the 1980s.

He and his wife moved to Denver, Colo., in the late 1990s. After his wife died, he returned to Highland.

He enjoyed yard work and was a gardener.

He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland and American Legion Post 321 in New Baden. He was a former member of St. George Catholic Church in New Baden, where he had also been a member of the choir.

Survivors include a step-daughter, Joan (Joe) Griesbaum-Guzzo of Moline, Ill.; his niece and caregiver, Jill M. (Jeff) Schwend of Highland; five step-grandchildren; numerous step-great-grandchildren; and several step-great-great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Raymond L. Schroeder, Lawrence F. Schroeder, Louis H. Schroeder, Virgil H. Schroeder, Emil Schroeder, John Schroeder, Bart Schroeder and Richard G. Schroeder, who died on May 6, 1982; and sisters, Elizabeth Kannall and Monica Schroeder.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul School Educational Foundation.

This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 1:58 PM with the headline "Arnold Schroeder, 96."