John A. Schumacher, 83 of Sigel, passed away Thursday afternoon, January 29, 2015 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2015 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Sigel with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the church with a 6:00 p.m. parish wake service and a 6:30 p.m. rosary. Memorials may be made to St. Michael's School in Sigel. Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.bauerfh.com

John was born February 4, 1931 in Sigel, the son of Bernard "Ben" and Katherine "Kate" (Schutte) Schumacher. He married Patricia Waldhoff on August 23, 1952 and she survives. John was a life long and active member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Sigel. He was on the Teutopolis School Board, Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation Board, director of the Dairy Farmers of America and an agent and director of Sigel Mutual Insurance Company.

John was committed to his family, faith and farming.  He was very  proud of his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  As a dairy farmer, he knew that hard work and perseverance were a part of daily life.  He enjoyed  his time in the fields and the time spent  on the tractor was always a highlight to his day.

John was also an avid sports fan who enjoyed playing and coaching, as well as, cheering on his favorite teams. If his kids or grandkids were playing, he would be the biggest supporter.  When he wasn't cheering them, he was following the Illini basketball team or the St Louis Cardinals.

John is survived by his wife, Patricia of Sigel; twelve children, Dennis Schumacher, Gary (Julie) Schumacher, Elaine (Tom) Hartmann, Rick (Jean) Schumacher, Linda (Randy) Kemme, Barb (Steve) Rieman, Kevin (Sharon) Schumacher, Glen (Sheryl) Schumacher, Tim (Sherri) Schumacher, Dan (Peg) Schumacher, Lisa Schumacher and Todd (Lisa) Schumacher; siblings, Richard (Evelyn) Schumacher, Theresa Walk, Martha Niemerg; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Leonard (Vicki) Waldhoff, Richard Waldhoff, Joseph "Jr." Waldhoff, Dale (Carole) Waldhoff, Lucille Reardon, Kenny (Ruby) Sieler, Dorothy Schumacher and Helen Schumacher; 33 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews also survive.

John was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Grace Lamkin, Harold Schumacher, Bernard Schumacher, Bernice Fearday-Wilkins, Katherine "Katie" Gadel and Anna Probst; grandchildren, Patrick John and Nichole Lynn Schumacher; great-granddaughter, Kaliya Esther Dittamore; mother and father-in-law, Joseph and Josephine (Braun) Waldhoff; sister-in-law, Marian Sieler; brother-in-law, Virgil "Bud" Waldhoff and son-in-law, Tom Hartmann.