Paul Schroeder

Paul Schroeder, 73, formerly of Chicago, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2020 in Litchfield, IL.

Born April 3, 1947 to Carl and Gloria (Keating) Schroeder, Paul grew up in Chicago, where he was a graduate from Lane Technical High School.  Naturally mechanically-minded, Paul landed a job with the Chicago Pump Company as a draftsman. Soon thereafter, he was drafted into the US Army. He spent half of his three years in Seoul, South Korea, where he earned the rank of sergeant and drove with the motor pool along the 39^th parallel, carrying messages to generals.

When Paul returned home to civilian life, he brought the love of engines and vehicles with him. He built and flew large-scale, gas-powered, RC airplanes. A gifted mechanic, he easily took apart and reworked car engines, improving speed and efficiency. He took that power to the ¼ mile in his beloved 1969 Chevy Chevelle at the Great Lakes Dragaway, where he was a formidable competitor.

Paul later moved to Shipman, IL and worked at the Wood River Refinery. He loved sharing laughs with family and friends and helping cousin, Jerry, soup up his tractors for the tractor pulls.

Not long after his move to Shipman, Paul suffered a severe head injury in a car accident. With the love and tireless support of his parents, Paul recovered as much as possible, but was not able to return to his mainstream life of cars, mechanics and work. However, his love of music endured. He could sing every word of every song by Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka, Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, Peter, and Paul and Mary and sometimes entertained other patients, nurses and physical therapists.

Paul is preceded in death by his brothers, Dan and Richard, and is survived by his parents and brother, Dave (Sherry). Also surviving are nephews and nieces, Sean, Scott, Kyle, Laura and Amanda, and great-niece and nephew, Brynlee and Blake.

Private, military burial to be held at Camp Butler at a later date.  

In Paul’s memory, the family suggests memorial contributions be directed to “Martha’s Pantry” at Shipman United Methodist Church, 278 Keating Street, Shipman, IL 62685.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paul Schroeder, please visit our floral store.