By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
24 Comments
  • Visitation

    Thursday, June 20, 2024

    4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

    Friday, June 21, 2024

    9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Service

    Friday, June 21, 2024

    11:00 am

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Wilbur H. “Rusty” Schiefer, Jr., 61, of Trenton, IL, passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Hospital, O’Fallon, IL.

    He was born August 24, 1962, in Highland, IL, to Wilbur H. “Red” and Nancy (nee Bugger) Schiefer. On September 3, 1983, he married Melinda Zotz at Central Church, O’Fallon, IL.

    Rusty was a stubborn, hardworking man who would never hesitate to help anyone he could. He enjoyed watching old Westerns, cartoons, and TV shows such as The Andy Griffith Show. He hunted deer, geese, and ducks, and loved his Diet Pepsi. Rusty never knew a stranger, being able to strike up a conversation with everyone. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

    He was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Schiefer.

    Rusty is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Melinda “Mindy” Schiefer of Trenton, IL; father, Wilbur “Red” Schiefer of Lebanon, IL; children, Amanda (significant other, Jeremy Missey) Schiefer of Trenton, IL, Nicholas Schiefer of Lebanon, IL, and Matthew (significant other, Brittany Mueller) Schiefer of Mascoutah, IL; grandchildren, Jacob, Michael, Huntleigh, Hannah, and Logan; siblings, Annette (Dan) Bleisch of Lebanon, IL, Robin Hoster of Lebanon, IL, and Charles “Chuck” Schiefer of Lebanon, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

    Memorials may be made to the Mascoutah FFA or donor’s choice.

    Visitation: Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday, June 21, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Funeral Service: Friday, June 21, 2024, at 11:00 am, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Clergy: Rev. Phil Barbier, St. John's UCC, Summerfield, IL

    Interment: Summerfield Cemetery

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

24 Condolences
 
  1. The O’Neill Family / June 17, 2024 at 5:33 pm

    You are in my thought and prayers.
    Peace be with you always .

  2. Allen and Cheryl Lanter and family / June 17, 2024 at 7:28 pm

    So shocked and so very sorry to hear about Rusty. He will certainly be missed. May all your happy memories give you much peace at this most difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all . May God bless you

  3. Emalee Colver / June 17, 2024 at 8:00 pm

    So sorry for your loss, Mindy. Hold tight to the precious memories.

  4. Carla Miller / June 17, 2024 at 8:43 pm

    Melinda, we are so sorry for your loss and will keep you in our prayers

  5. Carla Schadegg / June 17, 2024 at 8:43 pm

    Mindy and Matt,

    I am so sorry to hear about Rusty. My sincere condolences to all of you. He was such a great guy.

    Praying for all of you.

    Carla Schadegg.

    Dalton and Mitchell Willyard’s Mom.

  6. Pat & Jon Suydam / June 18, 2024 at 3:45 am

    My condolences to Rusty’s family!

  7. Terri Glascock / June 18, 2024 at 7:58 am

    Annetta, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you and yours and trying, somehow to find peace and comfort through all of this.

  8. Jane Warren / June 18, 2024 at 7:59 am

    So sorry for your loss! Prayers to family and friends.

  9. Barb Volberg / June 18, 2024 at 9:04 am

    The Schiefer family is in my thoughts and prayers. Rusty was a friend to everyone, funny and caring person, he will be missed deeply by me and the rest of the Class of 1980 LHS.

  10. Mike and Cindy Shaw / June 18, 2024 at 12:30 pm

    Mindy and family, our sincerest condolences on the passing of Rusty. Please know that you all are in our prayers during this difficult time. We will be in San Diego hanging out with your newest grandbaby during the visitation and funeral but please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Mike and Cindy Shaw

  11. Beverly s. Learn / June 18, 2024 at 4:11 pm

    Annette and Dan and family,
    With deepest sympathy in the loss of your brother. Sending prayers to you and yours. This too will pass and tomorrow the sun will shine again…. Hugs

    Bev Learn

  12. Terri ”TR” Lampkin / June 18, 2024 at 5:26 pm

    I am so shocked and so very sorry to hear about Rusty. He will be missed by everyone.
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  13. Trish Weber Curnes / June 18, 2024 at 6:09 pm

    Love and condolences from my family….

  14. Mike and Gail Peters / June 18, 2024 at 7:54 pm

    Mindy, Amanda, and rest of the family –
    We are so very sorry about Rusty. He will be missed, Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

    Mike and Gail Peters

  15. Bill Fortenberry / June 18, 2024 at 7:56 pm

    Melinda, I was so sorry to hear of Rusty’s passing. I know you will always cherish the good memories of your time together.

  16. Ruth Bugger-Holzinger / June 18, 2024 at 10:55 pm

    Mindy & Family, So sorry to hear of Rusty’s passing. It’s been awhile since all the cousins got together, on the Bugger side, but he was always such a kind, loving person, and full of humor. I’ll always remember his laugh and smile. I have no doubt, He is watching over all of you each and every day. Sending our prayers, hugs and love.

  17. Kathy and Steve Genczo / June 19, 2024 at 9:08 am

    So sorry to learn of Rusty’s passing. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family. Sonny my heart is sad for you.

  18. PAUL & DONNA Zimmermann / June 19, 2024 at 11:02 am

    Our deepest condolences 🙏.

  19. Ken and Carol Scheibel / June 19, 2024 at 3:40 pm

    Robin We are sorry to learn of your brother’s passing. We will keep you and his entire family in our thoughts and prayers.

  20. Wayne Loehring / June 19, 2024 at 8:32 pm

    My deepest sympathies are extended to Mindy, family members, and friends. Rusty was truly one of a kind. I’ll always remember his great sense of humor, warm smile, and his laugh. God Bless.

  21. Veronica Hanson / June 20, 2024 at 6:54 am

    He will be missed. We are so sorry for your loss. The whole family is in our prayers 🙏🙏🙏 Roni

  22. Jay Greeson / June 20, 2024 at 2:46 pm

    The deepest condolences go out to the schiefer family during these hard time.the Greeson family thoughs and prayers are with u all during theseshard times .sincerely jay,michael, hannah Greeson.

  23. Jeffrey Streif / June 20, 2024 at 3:21 pm

    I was so sorry to hear about Rusty’s passing. He was a great guy who was always ready to help out. I have some fond memories of Rusty. My condolences to the Family.

  24. Christopher and Rachel Rowan / June 21, 2024 at 9:35 am

    I knew Rusty my entire life, and was sad to hear of his passing. Our deepest condolences are extended to the Schiefer family, we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

    Sincerely,

    Chris and Rachel Rowan

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