July 6, 1924 — Sept. 10, 2015

Mary Lou Schadt, 91, of Cassopolis, died peacefully, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, in Cass County Medical Care Facility.

She was born July 6, 1924, in Lakewood, Ohio, the only child of Charles and Avis (Shurte) Almeda. She married John Frederick Schadt June 19, 1948, in Memphis, Tennessee. He preceded her in death in 1997. She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Mary Lou was passionate about wildlife, serving as a volunteer for over thirty years with the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island in Florida in various capacities, including being out in the field. She was proud of the fact that she was able to serve as a guide for then President Jimmy Carter. Mary Lou was artistic and pursued many interests. For the last ten years, she hand made every Christmas, birthday and greeting card for family and friends, never missing a birthday or other important event.

Mary Lou was a past Commodore of Diamond Lake Yacht Club, as was her husband, one of only two couples who had each held that position independently. She enjoyed the camaraderie of the membership. Mary Lou was a great friend, and, in return, she herself had many great friends.

Mary Lou will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her daughter, Mindy (Tim) Schadt Lozier of North Richland Hills, Texas; her son, John (fiancée, Terri Shackelford ) Schadt of Indianapolis, Indiana; four grandchildren, Alyssa (Michael) Riegelman of North Fort Myers, Florida, Robert (Cassandra) Schadt of Benton Harbor, Jason (Beth Beckman) Schadt of Michigan City, Indiana, Matthew (Faith) Lozier of Escondido, California; and nine great grandchildren.

Family and friends will gather Monday, Sept. 14, 2015, from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis, with the Reverend Wade S. Panse, interim pastor of Cassopolis United Methodist Church, officiating. Mrs. Schadt will be laid to rest beside her late husband, John, in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Cassopolis.

The family prefers memorial contributions be made in Mary Lou’s name to, either, Diamond Lake Yacht Club, Sailors Memorial Fund, Post Office Box 363, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031, or, Ding Darling Wildlife Society, Post Office Box 565, Sanibel, Florida 33957.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.