Eugene "Bud" F Scherer's Obituary
Eugene F. Scherer, known to all except telemarketers as “Bud”, passed from this earth on July 22, 2015 after a battle with cancer and congestive heart failure. Visitation and funeral services are scheduled for August 11, 2015 at Holy Family Parish on South Franklin Street. Visitation starts at 9 a.m. followed with a funeral mass at 10 a.m.. Burial of both Bud and his wife Marty will immediately following the mass at Mt. Gilead Cemetery.
Bud was well loved by all who knew him. He was born on May 14, 1932 to R.C. and Dorothy Scherer in Decatur. Bud attended Saint Theresa High School, and graduated from Decatur High in 1950. Bud obtained a bachelor’s degree of business from Millikin University also in Decatur in 1954. While attending Millikin, Bud met and married the love of his life, Martha Anne (Marty) Snyder. They were married on June 19, 1954. Bud and Marty were married for almost 60 years and had three children.
A lifelong resident of Decatur, Bud was known for his love of life, family and friends. As a teenager and in college, Bud worked for City of Decatur at the lake as lake patrol and helped to “rip-rap” the lake walls. Early into his marriage, he decided that he needed to be a full-time dad, and left employment with Dunn and Bradstreet, where he traveled extensively, to work for Sears and Roebuck as a division manager for many years. Bud met and maintained many relationships with people; he was a friend to all, and offered a sympathetic ear during times of trouble. He was always ready to offer invaluable advice and/or a hug. Bud was known for his hugs at the Decatur Athletic Club where he had quite a “hug harem.” Bud was known for telling people that things “are acceptable” and that “you should do something nice for yourself every day.”
Bud was known for his love of the outdoors. He was both a hunter and a fisherman. He loved to catch crappies which he kept in the freezer at all times to be ready whenever one of many priests came over for a fish dinner. Bud loved to hunt, but would only shoot what he knew the family would eat. Bud loved the outdoors so much that he was known for riding his bicycle to Sears and back almost every day. He taught his three children to appreciate the natural world around them and was willing to lend his knowledge to all that asked.
Bud was known for his keen wit and the ability to laugh at things that happened. He loved a good joke when he heard one even though his joke telling left a few things to be desired. He had a wonderful smile that would brighten even the darkest gloom.
Bud and Marty were founding members of Holy Family Church, in Decatur, Illinois. They were integral in the early days of the parish. For quite a few years during the 1960’s Bud cleaned the school and church. In his later years Bud worked as a volunteer at the parish school as a pre-school assistant and later helped serve lunch to the students. At the school he was known as “Grandpa Bud” and was loved by the students, teachers and staff.
Bud is survived by his children, sons Matt (wife Jacqui) of San Antonio, Texas and Christopher (wife Mary Jo) of Baltimore, Maryland; and daughter Cammy Kinstedt (life partner Armando Garcia) of Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The couple had four grandchildren, Peter Scherer of San Antonio, Texas; Jessica Scherer of Olympia Washington; Emily Scherer of Chevy Chase, Maryland and Kate Wimer (husband Zach) of Denver, Colorado. There were two step-grandchildren, Vionka Conklin (husband Dan) of Waconia, Minnesota; and Ryan Kinstedt (wife Julie) of Nehalem, Oregon. The couple has four step-great grandchildren. Bud’s brother-in-law William Snyder of Holiday, Florida and his son Dan Snyder of Chicago also survive. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marty, his parents, one grandson Andrew and sister-in-law Loretta Snyder. Bud passed through the world in the capable hands of Maureen Hooks, a true friend. As Bud would say, she was his “#2 Daughter and her husband Greg Hooks was #3 son.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Heritage Health Nursing Home, in Mount Zion, Illinois for the compassion and excellent care they gave to our father. They were nothing short of outstanding.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in his name to Catholic Charities, 247 W. Prairie Ave, Decatur, IL 62523 or to the “Grandpa Bud Scholarship” which is being established for a student in need at Holy Family School.
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