Gary Robert Schauer, 72

Gary Robert Schauer, 72, of Woodstock, passed away at Northwestern Hospital on Oct. 5, 2023.

He was born on May 4, 1951, in Woodstock to the late Robert and Marge Schauer.

Gary is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Sharon; his daughters, Jackie (Schauer) Shanklin (husband Nate) and Tricia (Schauer) Penn (husband Bob); and four cherished grandchildren, Jacob Hale, Grace Hale, Jack Shanklin, and Colin Shanklin. He is also survived by his faithful sister, Sue Koeser (husband David), and niece Jennifer Koeser.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Christopher Schauer. 

Gary had a personality that was as large as his physical stature. He had a passion for his family, his community, and his country. He worked hard to establish his own business, Gary Schauer & Son Excavating, which became well-known in Woodstock and the surrounding areas. Additionally, Gary dedicated 28 years of his life to serving as a volunteer firefighter in Woodstock, holding the position of assistant fire chief at one time in his career. Firefighting was a family passion, with Gary’s father, Robert Schauer, having served as Woodstock’s fire chief. 

For his primary education, Gary attended Clay Street School then Olson Junior High and graduated from Woodstock Community High School with the class of 1969. He furthered his education for a semester at the William Rainey Harper Junior College in Palatine, Ill. 

Gary was a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock. He was an altar boy in his youth and volunteered as an usher in adulthood. 

Gary found joy in watching his children and grandchildren grow. He loved to ride his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and to work with his hands. In his younger years he shined as the nozzlemen in competitive water-fighting, a sport enjoyed among firefighters in the summer months. 

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, located at 1211 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock. The visitation will continue Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, at Grace Lutheran Church, 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service. Interment will follow in McHenry County Memorial Park cemetery in Woodstock.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and St. Vincent de Paul, a worldwide organization of Catholic men and women volunteering to help those in need – spiritually, economically, and emotionally.

For more information, contact the Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home at 815- 338- 1710 or see the website at slmcfh.com.