John Schnake

Visitation will be from 5 - 8 PM Monday, March 15, 2010, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Wray Offermann at 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at St. Pauls Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour prior to service time. Memorials may be made to St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Lutheran School Association, Decatur Memorial Hospital Foundation, or to donors choice. He will be buried at Graceland Cemetery Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Georgia J.; two sons, H. Edward Orr and wife Linda of Forsyth, John W. Schnake and wife Pam of Decatur; brothers Robert Schnake and wife Claire of Canton, Richard Schnake and wife Mary Lou of The Villages of Florida; sister, Marsha Anglin of Osage Beach, MO; granddaughter-in-law, Diane Orr of Forsyth; grandchildren, Travis Orr (Michele Coziahr) of Decatur, Aimee Smith and husband Eric of Moweaqua, Mark Schnake of Chicago, David Schnake of Raleigh, NC, Katherine Schnake of Chicago; great-grandchildren Taylor Orr, Jack Orr, Keagen Smith, Avery Smith and Grant Smith and several nieces and nephews. Bill was born May 12, 1923 in Centralia, IL, the son of Richard Henry and Hazel Beatrice (Quick) Schnake. Bill was a graduate of Centralia High School, Centralia, IL. He proudly served his country as a 1st Lt. of the US Army Air Corp and served as a fighter pilot in Rome-Arno and Southern France from 1944 - 1945. He earned an EAME Campaign Medal, 2 bronze stars and an Air Medal. Flying remained a passion throughout his life and for many years he owned and enjoyed a Beachcraft Debonair. He was a 1950 graduate of U of I School of Civil Engineering and was a Bronze Tablet recipient. In 1954, while working as an officer engineer for FH McGraw Co in Paducah, KY he met and married Georgia J. Whitt-Orr. In 1960, after working as a field engineer for the Indiana and Illinois Toll Road, Bill joined Fisher-Stoune, Inc of Decatur and in the early 80s became the president and owner. Fisher-Stoune Bill was an active member of Central Illinois Builders (CIB) of Associated General Contractors (AGC) for over 40 years. He served on the Board of Directors including two terms as President. In 1998, CIB honored him with the title of Life Director.He was the chairman of CIBs Industry Advancement Foundation (IAF) which negotiated into collective bargaining agreements that provided programs which truly benefited the Central Illinois construction industry. Through Bills leadership, IAF also actively supported Bradley Universitys School of Civil Engineering and Construction departmental activities. Because of his efforts on their behalf, Bradley University awarded Bill with the Proud Eagle Award which honors the departments unsung heroes.Bill was a member and past congregational president of St. Pauls Lutheran Church. He also served on the stewardship committee for many years. He was preceded in death by both parents and one grandson, Christopher Marc Orr.He was a loving brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. We will miss his strength, courage and most of all, his caring heart. Condolences may be left to the family at www.brintlingerandearl.com "
}