Robert Eugene Schnake, age 89, of Canton, Illinois died on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at
Red Oak Estates where he lived with his wife of 67 years, Clara. While the last years of Bob’s
life had been challenging, he leaves a legacy of faith, integrity, and a deep love of family and of
life.
Born on December 31, 1925 to Richard and Hazel (Quick) Schnake in Boynton Beach, Florida,
he grew up in Centralia, Illinois. Called “Pistol” by his mother (well into adulthood and apparently for good reason), he always enjoyed the camaraderie of his two brothers, and was protective and attentive to his younger sister.
After service in the US Army Air Forces, Bob met his love, his lifelong bridge and dance partner,
Clara A. Huff. They were married on May 15, 1948 and together raised nine children. He and
Clara have been faithful parishioners of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Bob enjoyed a nearly 40 year career with Illinois Bell Telephone Co. and it delighted his children
to no end that they always had 6 telephones in their otherwise modest home, two of them
princess phones! Serving a term as President of the Peoria Bell Credit Union, he was a
respected employee, known for his honesty, integrity and hard work. He knew the importance of a good reputation and imparted these values to his children, teaching and leading by example.
Bob had many hobbies and it would be hard to say which he enjoyed more. He introduced his
family to the joy of the outdoors through many a family vacation camping on the banks of some
beautiful lake in Wisconsin or Tennessee. The old Sears Roebuck canvas tent saw plenty of
use, but eventually gave way to the fancy trailer that he and Clara pulled to Carlyle Lake, one of
their favorite camping spots in Southern Illinois.
Bob also loved fishing, whether it was on one of the strip mine lakes outside of Canton or on
one of his yearly trips to the wilds of Canada with several good fishing buddies. He loved the
outdoors and his hobbies it seemed were mostly an excuse to be outside, riding his bike,
foraging for hickory nuts or for the elusive morel mushroom, well not elusive for him. He always
knew where to look and always came back with a huge mess of them. In his later years, he
greatly enjoyed sitting on his porch in the late afternoon where he could watch the
hummingbirds coming and going.
With the help of his father, Bob built his first home in Centralia and because he could fix
anything his children grew up unaware that some folks actually made a living repairing washing
machines and TVs. Bob kept a garden for most of his adult life and loved to put fresh salad
greens and prize tomatoes on the dinner table. He prided himself on being able to pick a ripe
tomato most years in time for Clara’s birthday on June 24. And everyone loved Bob’s wild grape
and rhubarb wines.
He will be lovingly remembered by family and friends as a wonderful father and as a devoted
husband who tenderly cared for his wife during her extended illness. And we will forever miss the sweet sound of his singing.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bill and J. R., and by his son Mark Alan
Schnake. In addition to his wife, Clara, and his sister, Marsha Anglin of Osage Beach, MO, he is
survived by his loving children, Janice Roberts and husband Richard of River Forest, IL, Ann
Steinhauser and husband Larry of Amherst, MA, Steven Schnake and wife Tina of Edwards, IL,
Kevin Schnake and wife Tanna of Colorado Springs, CO, Mary Leigh Esworthy and husband
Dale of Brentwood, TN, Eric Schnake and wife Cecilia Pagani of Atlanta, GA, Kurt Schnake and
wife Tammy of Carlock, IL, and John Schnake and wife Mandy of Greenwood, IN. Bob was the
proud grandfather of 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 13 with recitation of rosary at 7 p.m. at Murphy Sedgwick Funeral Home in Canton, Illinois. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 14 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, also in Canton, followed by burial at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 139 East Chestnut, Canton, Illinois 61520, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 200906011.
