Roll Call Tribute

Robert M. "Bob" Schumacher 

February 1, 1931 - May 2, 2024 

Robert M. (“Bob”) Schumacher, 93, of Lady Lake, FL, formerly of Plano, IL and Davenport, FL, passed away Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Lady Lake, FL. He was born February 1, 1931, in Elwood, IL, the son of Arthur and Verna (Redden) Schumacher. He spent the first ten years of his life at Fairview Farm in Elwood, Illinois, then moved to Plano, Illinois, on his 10th birthday in 1941. He married June G. Gramley on September 6, 1952, at Plano Methodist Church in Plano, IL.

Bob graduated from the University of Illinois in Agriculture (1952). As a member of ROTC - following graduation - he was called to serve in Korea as a First Lieutenant of the United States Army Signal Corp from 1953 to 1955. On his return, Bob began his career as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in 1955, then he taught in the Yorkville Public Schools, and eventually became Principal of Circle Center School and retired in 1988. He earned his Master’s Degree in Education in 1968 after studying in Utah, Alaska and Texas A&M University. In addition to his educational career, Bob farmed the family farm in Plano until 1967, built seven houses, and had a successful side career in tax preparation.

Bob was active in the American Legion Post in Plano, IL and Davenport, FL, where he was in the Honor Guard. He was a member of I.E.A. and N.E.A., a Boy Scout leader, and served on the Plano Library Board (where he was a past president). He was elected to two terms on the Plano School Board. Bob and June permanently moved to Florida in 1996 and spent many happy years in retirement traveling and spending time with their grandchildren.

He is survived by his daughter, Dianne S. Anderson of Summerfield, FL (John); his son, Robert M. Schumacher, Jr. of Wheaton, IL (Mary); nine grandchildren, Robert and Jay Hartbank, Amanda Anderson, Jennifer (Crump) Anderson, and John Anderson Jr., Ryan, Robert Alex, Catherine (Schumacher) Fredrickson, and Adam Schumacher; eleven great-grandchildren; his brother, Alvin Schumacher of St. Louis, MO; and several nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, June (2012), his daughter, Karen K. Hartbank (2007) and his sister, Dr Erma Vanderzant (1999).

Visitation will be on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 am at Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Plano, IL. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the funeral home in Plano. Interment will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL, on June 3. For more information or to sign the online guest book, go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com