Herbert C. Schueler, 93, of Columbia, died Jan. 5, 2015.

He was born Dec. 5, 1922, in Columbia, the youngest of three children born to William and Ida Schueler (nee Oerter).

He married the former Leola Ludwig on Oct. 2, 1948. Together they have one daughter, Wendy (Bill) Norman; one grandson, David (Dr. Annie) Norman; and two great-grandsons, Gary and Gabriel; as well as special family member Sarah (Jordan) Haney and children.

Herb was a lifelong citizen of Columbia, having been president of the 1940 graduating class of Columbia High School. He served in the Army, 94th Engineering Division, and saw action in the European theater as a participant in the Battle of the Bulge.
Upon his return to civilian life, Herb was the founder, along with his brother, Clarence, of Schueler Brothers Incorporated, a major construction firm in Columbia. Several years later, Clarence split off to found Monroe Building Supply, but the name of the company remained unchanged. It is still in existence as an investment company.

In 1974, Herb purchased the Juanita Browne Realty company upon the death of Mrs. Browne. The name was changed to H.C. Schueler Realty some years later.
Recognition of Herb’s community and county involvement includes awards and certificates from many organizations: Paul Harris Fellow from the Columbia Rotary Club, where he also served as president; Pillar of the Community award from the Columbia Chamber of Commerce; charter member of both the Monroe County Builders Association, for which he also served as president, and the Monroe County Planning Commission; member of the Missouri-Illinois Jefferson-Monroe Bridge Commission; financial backer for the startup of the Dupo-Columbia Air Force Junior ROTC program; a member of the Monroe County Regional Planning Commission; supporter of the Columbia Boy Scouts; Monroe Council for the Handicapped; Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District; and the Jaycees.

Herb was a member of the now-disbanded Columbia Toastmasters, a founding member of the Columbia Strassenfest and a member of the Strassenfest Singers and Dancers. Herb was recently awarded his 70-year membership pin from American Legion Post 581, where he was a member of the Drill Team as well as a flag bearer.
For a short time, Herb was a volunteer fireman with the Columbia Fire Department; he was made an honorary fireman in 1997 and always supported the mission of that fine organization.

The only “hobby” Herb had was flying. He was a private pilot and owned a quarter share of an airplane that was based at Sackman Field in Columbia. Chester Schmidt, Royal Kendall and Ray Schmidt were the other partners.

Herb served as a member of the Board of Directors at Monroe National Bank, now First Bank, for many years. He also was a major donor to the fountain in Metter Park, honoring his father and father-in-law for their service to the city of Columbia.

Travel was always a priority for Herb. He returned to Europe four times after the war, was one of the first tourists to visit Russia after Glasnost, traveled to Cuba prior to its closing, panned for gold out west, and white water rafted down the Colorado River.
Herb was one of two persons able to have served on both the Columbia Centennial Celebration Committee of 1959 and the Sesquicentennial 2009 Celebration Committee; the other was Walter “Gig” Giffhorn.

Herb was a lifelong member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, where he served on many committees and was twice president of the congregation. He was Sunday School treasurer for many years, as well as a Youth Fellowship sponsor. Youth, music and the building itself were his special interests. His interests also went to the larger fraternal organizations of Columbia — Masonic Lodge 474, The Scottish Rite Bodies of Southern Illinois, and the Ainad Temple of the East St. Louis Shrine.

Herb happily sponsored many Khoury League teams, bowling teams and various other youth and enjoyment centered groups in Columbia. His greatest joy was helping people have a good time.

He served as emcee at many parties, honorariums and Christmas parties. He was a song leader at birthday parties at Columbia Rehab and Nursing, where he was a resident for five years.

Herb was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lucille (Joe) Middleton and brother Clarence (Hildegard) Schueler. He is survived by his wife, daughter and son-in-law, grandson and family, special family members, nieces, nephews and many friends, including life-long best friend Maurice Schneider.

Visitation is Friday, Jan. 8, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia; and Saturday, Jan. 9, from 10 to  11 a.m., at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia.
Funeral services will be Saturday at 11 a.m., at the church, with Pastor Bob Goddard officiating.

Interment will follow at Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery, Columbia.

As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to: St. Paul United Church of Christ, Building Fund, 127 N. St. Paul, Columbia, IL 62236; Columbia Volunteer Fire Dept. Scholarship Fund, 1020 N. Main St., Columbia, IL 62236; or Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 So. Illinois St., Belleville, IL 62220.