Clarence J. Schadler

Clarence “Buck” John Schadler passed away surrounded by his family at his home on February 24, 2012. He was born September 29, 1920 to Adolf and Ida (Lambrecht) Schadler. Buck was a lifelong resident of the Baroda and Stevensville area. He attended Ruggles School in Baroda. His work career began early in life and lasted right up until the time of his death. He worked many years for the Nelson Anderson Box Factory and over 34 years for Whirlpool Corporation along with farming vegetables and grapes. Upon his retirement from Whirlpool he then devoted all his time to farming. Buck and Gladys started the first fruit stand in Stevensville (Derby) in the early 1950’s, selling corn off the back of their pick-up truck at the old Berrien County garage on the corner of John Beers and Washington Ave. As more crops where produced, the farm became known as Schadler’s Shed. Buck enjoyed working in the fields and during the last few years could be seen helping set up the produce inside the shed. He was a proud WWII vet serving with the US Army, Company A, 260th Engineer, Combat Battalion from September of 1942 to March of 1946. On October 9,1948 he married his sweetheart and lifetime partner, Gladys Deutscher. Their marriage lasted 53 years until the time of her death. Visitation will be held on Monday, Feb 27, from 5-9 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI. Funeral services celebrating his life will be held Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 4333 Cleveland Avenue, Stevensville, MI. Burial will take place at Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville with military rites. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Bell Tower, Hospice or Berrien County Cancer. He is survived by his children, Kenneth (Ronda) Schadler and Terrie (Mike) Smith, both of Stevensville. His grandchildren, Michael Smith (Julie Tichenor) of Kalamazoo, Amber (Chad) Williams of St. Joseph, and Amy Heimbuch (Jerad Froehlich) of Benton Harbor and a half-sister Marie Luesenkamp of Grand Rapids and a special companion Geraldine Hacker of Berrien Springs. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Gladys, half sisters Jennette Drew, step-brothers James, George, William, Oscar, Ted, and John Valk half-brothers Robert, Raymond and Kenneth Valk, and half-sister Bertha Kramer. Those wishing to sign the memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger. com.