Richard B. "Dick" Schaefer

Richard Bernard (Dick) Schaefer, 79, of Wolf Lake, Illinois passed away peacefully at home on December 22, 2023. Dick was born in Linn, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri, receiving a master's degree in agricultural economics. In 1975, Dick married the love of his life, Ann Katherine "Kay" (Hall) Schaefer of St. Louis, Missouri.

Dick was blessed with four children and ten grandchildren: daughter Kathy and her husband Vinny Morris of Poughkeepsie, NY and grandchildren Joe and wife Megan (Jordan) of Glenwood Springs, CO, and Kate of Poughkeepsie, NY; daughter Mary Ann and her husband Andrew Degginger of Granby, CO and grandchildren Micah, Luke and Riley; daughter Jenny and her husband Matt Reiman of Belleville, IL and grandson Henry; and son Doug and his wife Sherry (Whitehead) of Columbia, MO and grandchildren Oscar, Emmett, Liam and Kaylynn.

Dick worked hard and took great pride in his work, first as a farmer and later as a business leader. Along with his brothers Jerry and Eugene, he co-founded Schaefer Enterprises in Wolf Lake, IL. Dick worked in sales and guided investments in technology for the business, including early development of a nationwide network-based salvage parts locator system. He also played an instrumental role in the founding and growth of the National Tractor Parts Dealers Association.

Dick was active in the Wolf Lake community, serving on the Shawnee School District Board of Education for 14 years. He supported community fundraisers and other volunteer activities, often with Kay, and he was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Anna. He served as American dad to three exchange students through 4-H programs: Youko (Japan) and Marcia and Laura (both from Costa Rica). Dick enjoyed boating at Kinkaid Lake and barbecuing for his friends and family.

Dick is survived by sisters Joan Fisher of Murphysboro, IL, and Susan Evers of Holts Summit, MO; sister-in-law Judy Schaefer of Wolf Lake, IL; brothers Bob Schaefer of Frankenstein, MO, Eugene Schaefer of Wolf Lake, IL, Tom Schaefer and wife Susan of Columbia, MO; in-laws Judy Newby and Karen and Curt Hamacher of Lake Ozark, MO, and Judy Asel of Plano, TX; and many nieces and nephews who loved to call him Mean Old Uncle Dick due to his outwardly stern expression, hiding the exceptionally kind and generous man inside.

Dick was preceded in death by his wife Kay; his parents, William B. and Angela (Schroeder) Schaefer, grandson Riley Degginger; siblings Bets Thoenen, Albert Schaefer, Lillian Luckenotte and Jerry Schaefer; in-laws Ed Thoenen, Jim Luckenotte, Sharon Schaefer, Esther Schaefer, Jim Evers, Leo Fisher, and Richard Asel; and parents-in-law Harry and Mary Hall.

Dick's family is grateful for the help and support of many family members and friends that made it possible for him to spend his last years in his home in Wolf Lake, especially Eugene Schaefer, Roger Harris, Victoria Frayser, Judy Schaefer, Cody Levan and Nick Schaefer.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Thursday, January 4 at Rendleman & Hileman in Anna, IL. Funeral mass will be held at 10 am Friday, January 5 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Anna. Interment will follow at Jonesboro Cemetery, with lunch to follow at St. Mary's Parish Hall. Memorial gifts in memory of Dick can be made to Wolf Lake Park and Community Center. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.