Published on January 13, 2026 8:25 am
Last Updated on January 13, 2026 9:03 am
Rosemary E. Schlechte, 93, of Strasburg, IL, was lovingly surrounded by her family as she peacefully passed away at 1:11 a.m. Sunday, January 11, 2026, at StoneBridge Memory Care, Effingham, IL.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Strasburg, with Rev. Kene Whybrew officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Wednesday in the church. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Strasburg, IL. Memorials may be given to the Lutheran Ladies of Strasburg. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Strasburg, IL. Send condolences at www.howeandyockey.com
Rosemary was born on January 10, 1933, in Windsor, IL, the daughter of Orvel Christian “Pete” and Clara Elnora (Robison) Schultz. She graduated from Stewardson-Strasburg High School in the Class of 1951. Rosemary began working at Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company and then later for Kuehne Manufacturing both in Mattoon, IL. She married George Harrison Schlechte on March 17, 1957. Rosemary was a vital part of the family farming operation and her husband’s construction business. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Strasburg, where she was an active member of the Lutheran Ladies of Strasburg. Rosemary was an avid fan of the Illini, Los Angeles Dodgers, SS Comets and WSS Hatchets. She loved watching the activities of her sons and grandchildren and was a lifetime member of the WSS Sportsbackers.
She is survived by her sons, Gerry Schlechte and wife Dawn of Strasburg, IL, and Bob Schlechte and wife Ronda of Strasburg, IL; brothers, Orvel Dean Schultz of Strasburg, IL: sisters, Jeanne Allen of Mattoon, IL and Shirley Anderson (Ted) of Sullivan; sister-in-law, Pam Schultz of Indian Lake, FL; step-grandson, Steven Polk and wife Megan of Mattoon, IL; grandchildren, Whitney Furr (Blake) of Shelbyville, IL, Becca Schlechte of Bloomington,IL, Megan Schlechte of Effingham, IL, and Anna Schlechte of Strasburg, IL; step-great grandchildren, Waylon Schultz of Reno, NV, and Charlotte Schultz and Makenna Polk both of Mattoon, IL; great grandchild Furr on the way; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; daughter, Cindy Diane Schlechte; brother, Larry Schultz; brother-in-law, F.M. “Curly” Allen; and sister-in-law, Janet Schultz.