JERALD LEE SCHOONMAKER

Jerald Lee Schoonmaker DYER, IN - Jerald Lee Schoonmaker, age 84, of Dyer, IN (formerly of Munster, IN), passed away peacefully with his loving family at his side, on March 18, 2018. Jerry was born December 14, 1933, in Seymour, MO to the late Robert and Georgia (Hunt) Schoonmaker. Also preceding in him death was his brother Robert Neal. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Doris (Parker), his children Robert Lee (Karla), Todd and Tyrah Elizabeth (Matthew) Kohut; grandchildren, Tiffany Kae, Daniel Lee, Laura Nichole, Sarah Marie and Rush Parker; brother-in-law, David (Faye) Parker, sister-in-law, Mary Sue (Charles) King; beloved cousins, Katie Stephenson, Bill Schoonmaker and Dale and Dottie Glitzke and many nieces and nephews. In his hometown of Lebanon, MO, Jerry was a four-sport athlete participating in Football, Baseball, Basketball and Track & Field. In March of 1999, he was inducted into the Lebanon Area Sports Hall of Fame and in September of 2007, his Football jersey was retired. Jerry attended University of Missouri, where he played Football and Baseball. In his Junior year at Missouri, he was an outfielder when the Tigers won the 1954 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship and during his Senior season he captained the team. His collegiate awards and honors included First Team All-American, All-district and College Home Run King, leading the NCAA with six home runs. He won a silver medal with the United States team at the 1955 Pan American Games. After graduation, Jerry signed with the Washington Senators and played with the team from 1955 through the 1957 season. Due to an eye injury, his Baseball career was shortened. In 1994, Jerry, along with the other members of the 1954 University of Missouri Baseball Team, was inducted into the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame and in 2004 was inducted in the state of Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. For over 40 years, Jerry was a faithful member of Woodmar Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and Disciple Training classes and participated in the Brotherhood Program. In 1996, Jerry retired after more than three decades of negotiating labor contracts for Ford Motor Company. Jerry will be remembered most for his gift of sharing The Gospel and quoting scripture with all those he encountered. His family will miss his quick wit, dry sense of humor, and unconditional love. Visitation will be Friday March 23, 2018 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and Funeral Service will be Saturday March 24, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., at FAGEN MILLER FUNERAL HOME (8580 Wicker Avenue St. John, IN), with Rev. Daniel Burd officiating. Burial will be in Calumet Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Samaritan's Purse or Shriner's Hospitals for Children. www.fagenmiller.com