Rosemary J. Schroeder

Rosemary Schroeder, age 102, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2024 at Aspen Place in Greensburg. She was born on January 1, 1922 in Shelby County to John and Ida (Ruhlman) Thoman, the second of 5 children. Rosemary graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 1940, and attended Marian College in Indianapolis.

On October 30, 1946 she married the love of her life, Paul G. Schroeder, and together they raised 10 children on a dairy farm northwest of Greensburg.

Rosemary was a very active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and CCD teacher. She also participated in Bible Study, Christ Renews His Parish, the St. Mary’s Sunday Hot Meals program, the Funeral Meal committee, and also sang in the church Adult Choir. She and her husband were involved in Marriage Encounter, and sponsored engaged couples in marriage preparation.

Rosemary took an active role for many years in the Daughters of Isabella, the St. Lawrence Ladies Auxiliary, the Decatur County Extension Homemakers and the Farm Bureau Board. She was also a Hospice Volunteer for 20 years, and if all that wasn’t enough to keep her busy, she even continued to help with milking the cows up into her mid 80’s.

Rosemary received the 2024 Knights of St. John Ladies Auxiliary International Woman of the Year award. She has also been recognized as the Decatur County Extension Homemaker of the Year and has received the Extension Board Certificate of Distinction.

Survivors include her 10 children: Dan (Nancy) Schroeder, Diann (Mike) Reisman, Paulette Duerstock, Tom (Beth) Schroeder, Arlene (Paul) Gehl, Linda (Jim) Sipe, John (Kelly) Schroeder, Kevin (Cathy) Schroeder, Matt (Pam) Schroeder, and Vince (Carol) Schroeder; 2 sisters, Rita England and Dolores Hartman; sister-in-law Catherine Mauer; 36 grand-children, 59 great-grand-children and one on the way; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Paul, her brother Fred Thoman and her sister, Sister Cora Thoman OSJ; son-in-law Jerry Duerstock, grand-son Justin P. Schroeder and great-grand-daughter Isabelle Nobbe.

Funeral arrangements are at Porter-Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home on Sunday, November 10, 2024, with the rosary at 3:30 p.m. followed by visitation until 7:00 p.m.

Visitation on Monday morning will be at St Mary’s Catholic Church from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial immediately following.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Oldenburg Academy, or a charity of the donor’s choice.