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BORN
1953
DIED
2022
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Kenneth Schaake Obituary
Edwardsville - Ken Schaake, age 68, of Edwardsville, Illinois, quietly passed on March 23, 2022, at his home surrounded by family. He was born at Fort Leonard Wood Army base in Missouri, the son of the late Donald L. Schaake and Evelyn D. (Sackett) Schaake.
Ken graduated from Edwardsville High School (1971) and from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville with a B.S. in Business (1975). He was employed by CNA Insurance, Merrill Lynch, Florist Mutual, The Hartford, CGU Insurance, and Plummer Insurance.
Ken is survived by his wife Beverly (Klueter) Schaake of 37 years, sons Christopher (Melissa) Schaake of Austin, Texas, and Collin Schaake of Galesburg, Illinois, and granddaughter Mackenzie Schaake of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by brothers Dave (Kathy) Schaake and Mark (Patti) Schaake, both of Edwardsville, brother-in-law Jeff (Tobie) Klueter of Chevy Chase, Maryland, nieces Kara Schaake Beyers and Jessie Klueter, and nephews Brandon Schaake, Jacob Schaake, Kyle Schaake and Sam Klueter.
Ken loved sports! He played high school, church, and city league baseball, basketball, and football. He had a lifelong passion for giving back to his community through sports. He coached Pee Wee football, his sons' Little League baseball and basketball teams, and managed the American Legion Post 199 baseball team for 38 years. Over the years, Ken's Legion team posted 834 wins, 3 state championships, and 1 national championship in 1998. His motto was, "If you're keeping score, you're playing to win."
Family was the most important thing in Ken's life. He enjoyed spending time with Bev at their home in the sunny Dominican Republic, visiting with Christopher's family in Austin, and joining Collin at the shooting range in Galesburg.
Ken was a great husband, father, and friend. He will be missed by all those who knew him. According to his wishes, Ken donated his body to Saint Louis University School of Medicine. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, June 5 @ 1 pm at the American Legion Post in Edwardsville. If Ken touched your life, please plan to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199.
Weber & Rodney Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Schaake
5 Entries
Bill Foe
April 16, 2022
I am saddened to just find out about Kenny's passing. I worked with him a couple summers at the high school moving books to the classrooms. That is the old high school - no elevators. I was 4 years younger than Kenny, he always took the heavy books. He was very funny. Somehow he had the key to the soda machine in the teachers lounge. When we would pass the lounge going to drop or pick up books, he would race in, unlock the machine and chug whatever he grabbed first. Then he locked the machine and ran out the door while I was probably 3 steps ahead of him when he came out. It was unbelievable and a great memory.
Roy P Smith
March 30, 2022
Sorry to hear of Kenny's passing. He was a great friend and will be missed by all. Rest in peace!
Jeff Krumeich
March 28, 2022
Bev, Dave, Mark and Family, I just learned the sad news of Kenny's illness and passing and am still in shock. He leaves me with great memories going back to our childhood and continuing all the way to adulthood. Perhaps the most poignant memory is of my father's funeral, when Kenny showed up to pay his respects just prior to the funeral home closing its doors. He was wearing his Legion baseball uniform and apologized that he had just come from a game and didn't have time to change. My father would have absolutely loved that! Our family was deeply touched that he had gone so far out of his way to express his condolences. He was a great teammate, coach, and competitor, but he was an even better man. He will be greatly missed.
Greg Kershaw
March 26, 2022
Bev and Family,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Memories of Kenny will never leave me. We were classmates since LeClaire School and were teammates on many sport teams where he was highly regarded and well respected. Kenny will be greatly missed.
Jim Carroll
March 25, 2022
RIP Kenny! Thanks for everything you did for E'ville baseball. It seems like yesterday the LeClaire Lake baseball kids played Indian Ball from LeClaire Park to anywhere we could find flat ground! I also have memories of you catching my first varsity outings as a freshman (without laughing) to the American Legion games we played with Dave at shortstop and Mark as the batboy! Finally, coaching my son Chase in Legion ball made me very happy. God's speed, my friend!
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