Allen P. Schaefer

1957 - 2010

Allen Schaefer

Allen P. Schaefer, 53, of Belleville, Ill., born May 2, 1957, in Belleville, Ill., passed away Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, Ill.

Allen was a life member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Belleville, Ill. He attended St. Mary's School and graduated with the class of 1971. He graduated from Belleville West High School in 1975. Allen was a member of Boy Scout Troop 3 at St. Mary's and received his Eagle Scout Award with his twin brother Stephen on Feb. 3, 1974. They were the first set of twins in the Belleville Okaw Valley Council to receive this award.

Allen worked as the enamel specialist at the Peerless Stove Company in Belleville for more than 30 years. He was a member of the Boilermakers Union Local 363 and Belleville Swansea Moose Lodge 1221. Allen's passions were gardening and spending time with his family. He was a selfless son, brother, uncle and friend to all he knew.

Allen was preceded in death by his father, Marcellus Schaefer; and a brother, Jerome G. Schaefer.

Surviving are his mother, Ruth, nee Emig, Schaefer of Belleville, Ill.; his twin brother, Stephen J. (Angie) Schaefer of Belleville, Ill.; his brother, Paul (Debra) Schaefer of Kirkwood, Mo.; a nephew, Bradley Schaefer of Kirkwood, Mo.; three nieces, Renee Schaefer of Kirkwood, Mo., Melissa Schaefer of O'Fallon, Mo., and Beth (Neal) Miller of House Springs, Mo.; a great-nephew, Brennan of O'Fallon, Mo.; and a great-niece, Liliana Marie of O'Fallon, Mo.

Remember me when flowers bloom

Early in the spring;

Remember me on sunny days

In the fun that summer brings.

Remember me in the fall

As you walk through leaves of gold;

And, in the wintertime, remember me

In the stories that are told.

But, most of all, remember

Each day, right from the start,

That I will be forever near,

For I live within your heart.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church or to the Boy Scouts of America Troop 3 at St. Mary's in Belleville, Ill. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, and from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1706 West Main St., Belleville, Ill.

Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Belleville, Ill., with Monsignor William McGhee officiating. Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, Ill.

GEORGE RENNER & SONS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.