He was born May 18, 1927 in St. Rose to Bernard and Rosalia (Strieker) Schumacher; they preceded him in death

Also preceded in death by brothers, Joseph and Thilber Schumacher and

a sister, Georgianna Schumacher

He married Norma Buske on July 17, 1951 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland; she survives in St. Rose

Also surviving are sons Gerald "Chip" Schumacher of Breese, Dennis (Deb) Schumacher of St. Rose, Jim Schumacher of Carlyle, and Steve (fiancé Angela) Schumacher of Albers

Also surviving are daughters Debbie (Jim) David of Macon, GA, Laurie Schumacher of St. Louis, and Brenda (Steven) Lange of St. Louis

Also surviving are 12 grandchildren-Nick Schumacher, Tim Schumacher, Chris (Shelly) Albers, Craig Albers, Michelle (Brian) Steiger, Alex Lange, Marcus Walter, Jordan Schumacher, Taylor Schumacher, Sarah David, Nora Grace David, and Mason Lange

Also surviving is a great-grandson, Austin Steiger

Also surviving is a brother, Wendelin (Shirley) Schumacher of St. Rose

Also surviving are sisters, Rosemary (Ben) Venhaus of Aviston, Martha (Bernell) Weis of St. Jacob, Margie (Ray) Fabre of Hawaii, Pat (Jerry) Lampe of Breese, and Theresa (Val) Buchmiller of Highland

Gerp always enjoyed the little things in life, tasting a crisp ripe apple, tickling a grandbaby and watching a hot air balloon float by. He lived life on his own terms and always stood up for what he believed in. He was a strong proud man. His greatest love was for his wife and family. He will be deeply missed.

He was a retired dairy farmer, and a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and Men’s Sodality, St. Rose Development Club, Retired St. Rose Fire Department Board of Trustees, Retired member of Central Community High School Board after 17 years, 50 year member of the Breese American Legion post 252, and an Army Veteran of the Korean War

Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 2 PM at St. Rose Catholic Church in St. Rose with Fr. Edward Schaefer officiating. Interment will follow at St. Rose Cemetery, St. Rose

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 18, 2004 from 4 to 9 PM and again on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 from 11 AM to 1:30 PM at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese.

Breese American Legion will hold services at 7:30 PM on Tuesday evening at the funeral home

Memorials may be made to St. Rose Catholic Church, American Diabetes Association, or to VNA-TIP Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be received at the funeral home