Clem J. Sandschafer, 96, of Teutopolis, died at 8:00 p.m., Sunday, January 15, 2012 at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 19, 2012 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Teutopolis with burial in St. Francis Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the church with a 6:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus rosary and a 7:30 p.m. parish prayer service. Memorials may be made to Effingham County Right to Life or to the donor's choice. Bauer Funeral Home in Teutopolis is assisting the family with arrangements. www.bauerfh.com

Clem was born February 17, 1915 in Effingham County, the son of John and Catherine (Kroeger) Sandschafer. He married Cecilia G. Grunloh on September 10, 1947 and she preceded him in death in 1989. Clem was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Teutopolis, Teutopolis Knights of Columbus Council #2874, Fourth Degree, Holy Name Society and Third Order of St. Francis. Clem and Cecilia were very active with supporting Right to Life.

Clem was a gentle, loving man who did whatever was necessary to provide for his family. He loved spending time with his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved the outdoors with fishing, hunting and gardening and was known for his strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. Clem also loved playing cards, especially Pinochle and Solo. He was a mushroom hunter extraordinaire and the father of a 40 -plus year family deer hunting tradition.

He is survived by his three sons, Joseph (Rita) of Dixon, Bernard (Mary) of Effingham, Dennis (Deb) of Effingham; four daughters, Mary Ann (Joe) Niccum of Teutopolis, Jane (Mike) Green of Troy, Joyce (Philip) Burke of Teutopolis and Clara Martinez of Teutopolis; two sisters, Helen Haarmann of Mason and Marie Bussman of Effingham; two sisters-in-law, Agnes (Clete) Brummer and Dolores Grunloh ; 25 grandchildren, Matthew, Monica, Julie, Charles and Kathryn Sandschafer, Eric (Kristi), Corey (Mary Beth), Neil (Amy) Sandschafer, Kristy (Jeff) Hutton, Peter (Brandy), David (Sara), Aaron Niccum, Laura (Eric) Riggan, Jeremy (Jaime) Green, Sara (Jason) Michael, Jessica Green, Brian (Jamie), Jason (Natasha), Lucas (Rachel) Sandschafer, Jennifer (Eric) Kalber, Maria (Aaron) Ellis, Angela (Gregg) Johnson, Robert Burke (dec.), Daniel (Jill) Burke, Clemente Martinez; 30 great grandchildren, Ginny, Amy Lynn, Victor and Greg Sandschafer, Jamie and Hunter Sandschafer, Aryanna (dec.), Gibson and Gabriella Hutton, Ben Sandschafer, Will and Bailey Niccum, Allie, Benson and Caden Green, Mia and Weston Riggan, Cooper and Carver Michael, Rayn Lentsch, Trenton Sandschafer, Cameron, Paige and Carter Kalber, Abigail and Peyton Ellis, Ella Johnson, Colin, Landon and Jordan Burke.

Clem was preceded in death by his parents, wife, grandson, Robert Burke and great granddaughter, Aryanna Hutton; three sisters, Josephine Willenborg, Tillie Mette and Luella Dettert; four brothers, Harry, Joe, Alf and John.