Robert Charles "Bob" Schierer

1929 - 2024

Robert Charles "Bob" Schierer

August 24, 1929 - November 23, 2024

METAMORA - Robert Charles "Bob" Schierer, 95, of Metamora, Ill., passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Snyder Village Health Center in Metamora.

He was born on August 24, 1929, in Eureka, Ill., to Benjamin Michael and Gay Muriel (Stivers) Schierer. He married Alice Mae Seckler of Metamora, Ill., on July 19, 1952 at St. Mary's Church in Metamora. She passed away on October 16, 1987. He then married Juanita Ann (Phinney) Elbert of Metamora, Ill., on February 8, 1988, at St. Mary's Church in Metamora. She passed away on June 20, 2024.

Surviving are two children, Tama Schierer and Ted Schierer, both of Metamora, Ill.; three stepchildren, Karen (Ted Sundstrom) Elbert of Grand Rapids, Mich., Dave (Sue) Elbert of Metamora, and Ben (Kim) Elbert of Morton, Ill.; and six stepgrandchildren, Jen (Brad), Jake, Mollie (Brian), Laura (Jon), Brett, and Kellie (Max). He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard W. Schierer; and son, Timothy L. Schierer.

Bob was a graduate of Metamora Township High School, where he enjoyed playing football and was a member of the first football team in 1946. He was active in choir and vocal competitions and sang for over 70 years at St. Mary's Church. He took night school classes at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., where he graduated in Business Administration in 1975.

Bob served in the National Guard and received training in refrigeration and water treatment. He was a member of the Peoria Suburban Kiwanis Club for over 30 years, also serving as a Kiwanis President. He loved helping with the Kiwanis community events such as the pancake breakfasts. He was also a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council 3060.

Bob's career started with his father, Ben; and brother, Dick at Schierer's Dairy. His first job was folding cartons when he was in elementary school. Later, he supervised the stores and managed overall operations together with his brother, Dick. Together, Ben, Dick, Bob, and the dedicated employees of Schierer's Dairy expanded operations to 14 dairy stores in central Illinois. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, major changes took place in the food industry that ultimately resulted in the closing of all small dairies in central Illinois. After the dairy shut down, Bob also worked at WRC for 20 years as a realtor. Bob converted the dairy stores into commercial real estate properties (Mt. Vernon Properties) with the help of solid tenants starting in the early 1980s (Metamora Parts Mart, Redbud Ridge Woodworking, AMI, Steve Jones Store, and eventually many others). Later, he renovated Essig Plaza and the former Kroger store in Washington into commercial rental property. Starting in 1988, his wife, Juanita, helped him manage bookkeeping and Grandma's Attic mini-storage.

His hobbies included singing, fishing, antique tractors, auctions, and travel. He and Juanita traveled extensively in the U.S. and Europe. Alaska was one of their favorite winter destinations. They greatly enjoyed traveling the trans-Alaskan highway in their conversion van. Bob loved to fish and attended annual fishing excursions with a dedicated group of fishing buddies.

Bob retired at 91 and soon discovered that he needed more interesting things to do, re-engaging in errands with his son instead of trying to read and play games. He enjoyed trips with family and trips to see family. His excursions in his final years also included soil workshops and trips to Iowa State University. He supported soil conservation efforts, built terraces on his farm in Metamora to reduce erosion and supported the transition to no-till and cover crops on his farm. He also demonstrated the power of a healthy diet by reversing Type 2 Diabetes with help from his family and cooperative staff at Snyder Village.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., on Monday, December 9, 2024, at Mason Funeral Home Metamora Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Metamora with Father David Kipfer officiating. Burial will be held immediately following in St. Mary's Cemetery in Metamora. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in honor of Bob to the OSF HealthCare Foundation, 124 SW Adams Street, Peoria, Ill. 61602. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.