Roy Scheidecker

Roy A. Scheidecker, 83, of Ottawa, died Friday, May 22, 2009, at LaSalle County Nursing Home. Roy's life will be memorialized at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church with the Rev. Nathan Kramer officiating, on Roy's "39 again" birthday. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00 with services at 11:00 am at Church. Arrangements were entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home. Roy was born May 30, 1925, in rural Somonauk, IL to Alfred and Helen (Morel) Scheidecker. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ottawa and remained a lifelong member. He married Kari Nesja at Salem Lutheran Church in Sandwich, IL on August 18, 1956. Roy attended Zion Lutheran Elementary School, Hager School, and Serena High School. He retired from Libby Owens Ford Glass Co. in 1987. Upon earning his GED from Illinois Valley Community College, Roy landed his dream job as an automobile hiker. Roy was a proud member of the Sheridan Rod and Gun Club, the American Legion Post # 0033, the Ottawa Moose Lodge # 960, the 82nd Airborne Division Association, and John Steele Chapter. He served as Club Master of Pack 42, was active in Scout Troop 39 and Lincoln Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association. Roy was passionate about automobiles, ice cream, car gardens, scuba diving and at one time, beer! He was fun loving father and grandfather, who went to great lengths to ensure joy and delight. Summer vacations were spent camping and drowning worms. He is celebrated and so fondly remembered by his wife Kari; three sons, Gary of Ottawa, Roger (Nancy) of Peru, and Mark (Darlene) of Ottawa; one daughter, Zoe (Don) Cassady of Streator; a nephew, Jerry (Karen) McKibben; six grandchildren, Branden Scheidecker, Amy (John) Brust of Riverton, IL, Leo Moran, John and Jennifer Scheidecker all of Ottawa, Kieran Cassady of Streator and seven great grandchildren; he also leaves his caregivers of the last eight years and his good friends, Sue "Alice" Cook, and Kathy and Keith Smith. Roy finally gets his chance to go to college as his earthly remains are being donated to science. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Arlene and Louise McKibben; his brother in law Denver McKibben; and a nephew Dale McKibben.