Robert L. Schaefer

Dateline: Worden, Illinois
Robert "Bob" L. Schaefer, 81, of Worden, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
He was born in Centralia, IL, on September 13, 1944, the son of Willet W. and Walda J. (Jank) Schaefer. Bob married Martha "Marti" A. Eskra on August 14, 1965 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia. She preceded him in death on June 14, 2016.
Bob is a United States Army Veteran serving stateside during the Vietnam era as a Military Police Officer. He then worked at McDonnell Douglas for over 30 years in sheet metal assembly, retiring in 2006. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and loved watching purple martins, and was a member of the Purple Martin Conservation Association. Another passion was watching Notre Dame Football, and baseball, especially St. Louis Cardinals. Bob cherished time with his grandchildren, especially playing basketball with his grandson and teaching his passions for gardening.
Survivors include his son, Matthew Schaefer and Megan Wiley of Bethalto; siblings, Cathy Bright of Alhambra, Daniel and Linda Schaefer of Centralia, and Judy Stack of Centralia; his three grandchildren, Harper Schaefer, Luca Schaefer-Knight, and Ezekiel Schaefer; and many nieces, nephews, and friends he made along the way.
Along with his parents, and wife, Marti, he was preceded in death by a brother, Ron Schaefer; and a grandson, Dakota Schaefer.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 4 to 7 pm, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto, where funeral service will also be Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 10 am, with Pastor Kale Hanson officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto, with military honors performed by Alton VFW Post 1308.
Memorials are suggested to The American Heart Association and/or The American Cancer Society.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.