Eugene “Gene” Schroeder
August 20th, 1938 - March 12th, 2025
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Gene's Obituary
Eugene “Gene” Schroeder, 86, formerly of Stevensville & Sodus, passed away, Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at his home in Niles, surrounded by his loving family.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:30 A.M. Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Nathanael Lyons officiating. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 10:30 A.M. Thursday. Military Rites will be conducted by Stevensville American Legion Post #568 will following the service. Memorial donations in Gene’s name may be made to Niles Hope Community Church-Children & Youth Ministry. Those wishing to sign Gene’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Gene was born August 20, 1938 in St. Joseph to Ernst & Maria Schroeder. He graduated from St. Joseph High School, Class of 1956. On October 15, 1960, he married the former Marilynne Menchinger at First Church of God in St. Joseph. Gene proudly served his country as a member of the Army Military Police, stationed in France. Upon return from the military, he gained employment with Michigan Fruit Canners in 1965, retiring in 1998 as the maintenance supervisor. The Schroeder’s home in Sodus was surrounded by hundreds of maple trees. Gene studied the process of making maple syrup, which he soon perfected. He and Marilynne founded Schroeder’s Sugar Shack which they operated from 1997 until 2013. Their syrup won first place in the annual competition in their very first year while they were members of the Michigan Maple Syrup Association.
Gene was a long-time member of the First Church of God in St. Joseph, where he served as usher, until he moved to Niles and joined Hope Community Church, where he also served as an usher. In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking and caring for his home and property. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or build. He was always willing to help others with whatever they needed. He always put God and his family first and cherished the time spent with family and his many friends from work or Church. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Gene is survived by his wife Marilynne; his children Michael Schroeder of Buchanan, Kristine (Michael) Olson of Kalamazoo; five grandchildren-Jacob (Karli) Vigansky, Jacilynne (Matt) Witt, Jennaka (Nick) Burns, Eric & Nathan Schroeder; nine great-grandchildren-Aubrie, Kendra, Teagan & Xander Witt, Ben & Braxton Vigansky, Ellamarie, Zaine, & Ryeder Burns; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings and their spouses-Allen (Jeanette) Schroeder, Elmer (Renee) Schroeder, Delores (Fred) Knaak, Eleanor Tate & Edith (Charles) Noack, and his favorite canine companion Cody.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:30 A.M. Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Nathanael Lyons officiating. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 10:30 A.M. Thursday. Military Rites will be conducted by Stevensville American Legion Post #568 will following the service. Memorial donations in Gene’s name may be made to Niles Hope Community Church-Children & Youth Ministry. Those wishing to sign Gene’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Gene was born August 20, 1938 in St. Joseph to Ernst & Maria Schroeder. He graduated from St. Joseph High School, Class of 1956. On October 15, 1960, he married the former Marilynne Menchinger at First Church of God in St. Joseph. Gene proudly served his country as a member of the Army Military Police, stationed in France. Upon return from the military, he gained employment with Michigan Fruit Canners in 1965, retiring in 1998 as the maintenance supervisor. The Schroeder’s home in Sodus was surrounded by hundreds of maple trees. Gene studied the process of making maple syrup, which he soon perfected. He and Marilynne founded Schroeder’s Sugar Shack which they operated from 1997 until 2013. Their syrup won first place in the annual competition in their very first year while they were members of the Michigan Maple Syrup Association.
Gene was a long-time member of the First Church of God in St. Joseph, where he served as usher, until he moved to Niles and joined Hope Community Church, where he also served as an usher. In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking and caring for his home and property. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or build. He was always willing to help others with whatever they needed. He always put God and his family first and cherished the time spent with family and his many friends from work or Church. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Gene is survived by his wife Marilynne; his children Michael Schroeder of Buchanan, Kristine (Michael) Olson of Kalamazoo; five grandchildren-Jacob (Karli) Vigansky, Jacilynne (Matt) Witt, Jennaka (Nick) Burns, Eric & Nathan Schroeder; nine great-grandchildren-Aubrie, Kendra, Teagan & Xander Witt, Ben & Braxton Vigansky, Ellamarie, Zaine, & Ryeder Burns; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings and their spouses-Allen (Jeanette) Schroeder, Elmer (Renee) Schroeder, Delores (Fred) Knaak, Eleanor Tate & Edith (Charles) Noack, and his favorite canine companion Cody.
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