Ronald Edward Schroeder Obituary
Our caring and gracious Lord welcomed our father, Ronald Edward Schroeder, 88, of St. Joseph to his eternal home in heaven. He was born December 24, 1937, to Ervin and Margaret (Hinz) Schroeder in St. Joseph. Ron was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sodus, where he remained a member his entire life.
Ron met and immediately fell in love with a little red head from Berrien Springs after a chance meeting at a dance hall. Ron and Paula were married at the young age of 19, on October 12th, 1957, at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Sodus. Nearly 69 years of life, love and family would follow. They had many blessings and joys and also weathered hardships, health battles and the loss of loved ones. They remained diligent and by each other’s side through the good times and bad, leaning on their strong faith and love for each other.
Ron used his skills in his work at Michigan Gas Utilities, where he would dedicate 36 years of service. He was a natural born supervisor with strong organizational skills for planning.
Ron took charge of organizing the Schroeder/Kraklau family reunions, the Michigan Gas Utilities Retirees reunions and the Florida Tri-county reunion. He was proud to participate in the yearly Sodus Township clean-up day.
Ron farmed for 25 years, served as Sodus Township Treasurer for 22 years, as well as a Berrien County deputy for Sodus Township Police, having been deputized by the late Sheriff Nick Jewell.
Ron was one of the original founders and members of the Sodus Township Fire Department, in which he proudly served for 51 years. It was by far, one of his greatest lifetime achievements. He would often recall his fondest memory of when he would go to the elementary schools and teach the children about fire safety.
Ron was known as a man of faith with a strong work ethic and dedication to his community and a commitment to those around him. He supported Michigan Lutheran High School from its beginning to the present. He was a lifetime member and supporter of the DANK, which he is credited to having helped to build.
In his younger years, he was an avid softball player and bowler. He also enjoyed hunting deer in the UP and pheasants on his farm with his family and friends. In his retirement, Ron enjoyed golfing and played nearly every course in Berrien County, as well as many courses in Florida.
Ron and Paula enjoyed being Snowbirds and spent over 25 winters in Leesburg, Florida. There, they were active members at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and cultivated many new friendships as well as spending time with their local friends that wintered with them in Florida. They enjoyed many trips and cruises, favorites being Las Vegas and an Alaska cruise.
Ron is preceded in death along with his parents by siblings - Norman Schroeder, Doris Case, and most recently his dear friend and brother-in-law Harry Case. He spoke often of looking forward to the day they would be reunited in heaven.
Ron is survived by his wife of 68 years - Paula Schroeder: children - Mark (Nancy) Schroeder and Teri (Craig) Harris: grandchildren - Alexander Schroeder (Michal Hebert), Adam Schroeder (Kimberly Strigle), Eric Schroeder (Lauren Martelli), Abby Harris, Amelia Harris, Lyvia (Joel) Butzow, Allie (Fabien) Roumazeilles: great grandchildren -Orion, Artemis, and Gabriel Roumazeilles and Sebastian Butzow: Sister - Margaret (David) Froehlich; nephews - Kevin (Brenda) Case and David (Tracy) Froehlich; nieces - Lisa (Kevin) Gillette and Tammy (Greg) Wolske. Ron was also survived by a host of dear family members on Paula’s side of the family.
The family would like to thank Woodland Terrace of St. Joseph, Royalton Manor and the doctors, nurses and aides at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital Floors 1 and 3 for the wonderful care, patience and compassion shown to our dad during his final months.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the Starks and Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph. A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, September 14, 2026, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sodus with Pastor Sean De Frain officiating. Ronald will be laid to rest at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Sodus. Contributions may be made in Ronald’s memory to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3713 Naomi Rd. Sodus, MI 49126 or to Michigan Lutheran High School (Tuition Assistance Fund) 615 E. Marquette Woods Rd. St Joseph, MI 49085. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guestbook at www.Starks-Menchinger.com.
