Farmer followed his father as firefighter

8/30/2004

GLANDORF - Edmund W. Schroeder, 82, a life-long farmer and 35-year volunteer of the Glandorf Fire Department, died Saturday at home here after a short bout with cancer, family members said.

Mr. Schroeder grew up on his parents' farm in Glandorf, mostly raising corn, beans, wheat, and occasionally pigs. He took over a portion of the family's midsized farm when he was old enough to handle the long hours on his own.

"He enjoyed working the farm, taking care of the pigs. He grew up doing it," said his wife, Dolores, whom he met at a wedding dance and married in 1950.

He became involved with the fire department in his late 20s, following in the footsteps of his father, who was a life-long volunteer.

"He liked helping people out," Ms. Schroeder said. "It was usually pretty quiet, though."

Mr. Schroeder retired from the fire department in the mid-1980s. His farm was rented off to his nephews when he grew too old to take of it.

After retiring, Mr. Schroeder enjoyed playing basketball with his grandchildren.

Mr. Schroeder is a member of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Glandorf, the Glandorf Men's Society, Glandorf Rod and Gun, and the Ottawa Eagles.

Surviving are his wife, Dolores; three sons, Gerald, Virgil, and Norman; six daughters, Pat Gerdeman, Phyllis Imm, Dorothy Karl III, Janet McFarland, Karen Calvelage, and Margie Coulon; sister, Norma Erhart, and 20 grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today and 2 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Love Funeral Home in Ottawa. Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

The family suggests memorials be to the Putnam County Hospice, or a charity of the donor's choice.