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Joseph Schrodt Obituary
Joseph "Merle" Schrodt
Aug. 15, 1937 - March 17, 2023
DECATUR - Joseph "Merle" Schrodt, MD, an Orthopedic Surgeon and community leader who was beloved by many in Decatur and surrounding communities, died Friday, March 17, 2023.
Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM, Friday, March 24, 2023 at Life Foursquare Church, 2954 W. Ash Ave., Decatur. Visitation will be 5:00–8:00 PM, Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Life Foursquare Church. Burial will be in Zion Hill Cemetery, Mattoon, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Joe's honor may be made to: Life Foursquare Church or Crossing Healthcare.
Joe was born in Canton, IL, on August 15, 1937, the second of four sons of Frances Veronica Schrodt (nee Sizek) and Ivan Verle Schrodt.
He married Martha Marie Highland in Mattoon on September 5, 1959, shortly after Joe graduated from college and Martha graduated from nursing school. Joe attended the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical School. He did his medical residency in St. Louis, and he served during the Vietnam War as Captain in the United States Air Force, Strategic Air Command. Joe completed the orthopedic surgery residency program at the University of Illinois in 1970, and Joe and Martha moved to Decatur that same year.
Joe served on the Board of Counselors of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He was Chairman of the Crossing Healthcare Board, President of the Decatur Memorial Hospital Board, and President of the Macon County Medical Society.
He served on Warrensburg-Latham School Board, where his and Martha's three children attended school. He was devoted to Richland and Millikin. He served many years on the Richland Community College Foundation Board and many years on the Millikin University Board. For over thirty years, he served as the team physician for Millikin sports teams. He also served on the Soy National Bank Board and the Board of Life Foursquare Church.
Joe and Martha were married for 46 years, until she passed away in 2005. Joe met the second love of his life, Ardath Hazelrigg, in December of 2006. He and Ardath married in the summer of 2007 and shared sixteen wonderful years together. Joe was deeply fond of Ardath's kids and grandkids.
Joe is survived by his wife, Ardath; his three children: Teresa Puskedra (David), Keith Schrodt, and David Schrodt (Stephanie); by his grandsons: Luke Puskedra (Trudie), Robert Puskedra, Samuel Schrodt, and Noah Schrodt; and by his great-granddaughters: Sasha, Penelope, Payton, and Layla. Joe was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha, and his grandson, Joseph Puskedra.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes at www.brintlingerandearl.com.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Schrodt
4 Entries
Gina Bianchi
March 28, 2023
All at Millikin University were saddened to hear of Joe's passing. He leaves a big void in the Decatur community.
Leonard Jenkins
March 25, 2023
As a CRNA I administered many anesthetics for Dr Schrodt during my career at both Decatur hospitals. I ALWAYS looked forward to being in his cases. His pleasant demeanor and laugh at my maybe not so funny jokes was always welcome. As a Millikin student he operated on my knee and many years later we shared many hours in surgery. He always had a smile and friendly greeting when our paths would cross, many times at Kirkland Fine Arts Center. I did not enjoy getting middle of the night calls for emergency surgery but when the surgeon was Dr Schrodt the "sting" of the loss of sleep was not there. He was possibly the nicest, kindest man I ever met and definitely my FAVORITE surgeon to work with. He never got excited or showed any stress and had that air of confidence and ability many Drs have but few in the way Dr Schrodt did. As I write this I can recall MANY surgeries we did together and I honestly cannot recall one unpleasant moment. He was a peach of a human and I´m sure will be missed. I missed working with him from the day he retired. In my 40 years giving anesthesia he was my favorite and I was thrilled when I´d run into him post retirement. A human who leaves a legacy like he did absolutely did life right. My condolences to his family. What a remarkable, talented, generous, kind man. Never forgotten.
David Roberts
March 19, 2023
Dave, Stephanie, Sam and Noah. My deepest condolences on the loss of your father and grandfather.
F. Kathie Whitley
March 19, 2023
So sorry to read about the passing of a wonderful person, I worked with Joe on the CHIC board and the Richland Community College Foundation board.
I learned so much from him and always enjoyed our conversations. He will be missed but his legacy will live on.
F. Kathie Whitley
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