Online Obituaries

Willa Lou Schroeder

February 15, 1915 - February 15, 2012

(nee Longley) - passed away peacefully at Silver Cross Hopsital, Wednesday, February 15, 2012.

Surviving are her three children, Melanie Zoller, Jack Schroeder (Jill) and David (Debra) Schroeder. Five grandchildren, Eric Zoller, Jennifer Zoller (Jorge), and David (Jamie) Zoller and three great grand children.

Preceded in death by her husband Melvin Schroeder, her parents James and Lucy Longley, two brothers Gordon and Russell Longley.

Willa was born in Joliet on February 15, 1915. She was a graduate of Joliet High School class of 1933 and attended Joliet Junior College. She was employed by the Adam Groth Company from 1936 to 1941. Adam Groth, her grandfather, was noted for building numerous stone buildings in Joliet, the Joliet Public Library, the Post Office, and Joliet Union Train Station. She married Melvin Schroeder at St John’s Lutheran Church in 1941.
She was a girl scout leader and celebrated as the oldest living girl scout in Illinois. She was a member of the YWCA board, Joliet College Alumni Board, the American Field Service, Chapter BA of the P.E.O., Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Advisory Board of the Silver Cross Hospital. She and her husband Melvin were founding members of the Joliet Historical Area Museum.
After her husband retired from the E J & E Railroad they operated the Just a Second Antique Shop on East Cass Street from 1971 to 1978. They both enjoyed golfing, dancing, and spending summers at their Door County Cottage in Wisconsin.

Funeral Information

Funeral services will be held at the Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home, 2320 Black Rd., Monday, February 20, at 10:30 A.M. Rev. Tim Lindstrom officiating. Entombment Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M.

Donations Information

In lieu of flowers, please honor Willa by making a gift to the Joliet Area Historical Museum.

Directions

Visitation:  Map to Funeral Home

Service:  Map to Funeral Home

Cemetery:  Oakwood Cemetery

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