Ronald L. Schaad

Ronald L. Schaad (1/23/1947 – 8/31/2024) grew up on his family’s farm near Bradford, IL with his parents, Gerald Schaad and Sibella (Jackson) Schaad and his older sister, Karen Andrew (her husband John). Ron attended elementary and high school in Bradford and was a member of the ‘famous’ 1964/65 football team. Ron was graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a degree in business administration and worked for WR Grace and Black Hawk College. In retirement Ron worked part time as a crop adjuster for Country Financial which seemed to be that farm boy’s favorite job.

Ron married Donna Douglas in 1968. They have three children and eight grandchildren: Jason Schaad, his wife Gwen and sons Malakai, Cooper, and Finn; Jeff Schaad, his wife Dana and children Molly, Grady, and Wyatt; and their daughter Carmen LaMonica and her sons Anthony, his wife Jenna, and Sam and his wife Molly. All kids seemed drawn to Ron because they knew he would play with them. He was a great dad and grandpa.

Ron had passion for gardening. He canned a lot of the ‘fruits of his labor’ and shared fresh vegetables with family and friends. His kids joked that the green beans Ron canned for them each year is one thing they will miss. Ron wanted some of his ashes given to his children to be sprinkled their gardens. 

Ron was always active in a church in each community where they lived. He often served as church treasurer. While living in Bloomington, he led many construction mission trips to Nicaragua, Honduras, and a church camp in Hawaii. Ron was also an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

There will be a memorial service on October 5th at 11:00 am in Bloomington, IL at the Wesley United Methodist church, 502 E Front St, Bloomington, IL 61701. There will be a visitation prior to the service from 10:00 am until the time of service. On the afternoon of October 6th from 1:00 to 4:00 will be a time of celebration in our yard by Ron’s ‘Hosta Garden the Woods’. Friends and neighbors are invited to bring a cutting from their landscape or garden to help complete his beloved garden. Our kids and grandkids are willing to help with the transplanting of any plants friends might like to bring. A blessing of the garden will be around 2:30 and then again around 4:00 since people will most likely come and go. If you wish to give a donation in memory of Ron, we suggest a gift to the Bloomington, IL Habitat for Humanity where Ron was very active, a Habitat for Humanity near you, or any other organization of your choosing.