Samuel Richard Zuber (91) of Ste. Marie

Samuel Richard Zuber, 91, of Sainte Marie, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 4:03 AM Monday, December 12, 2022, at his son’s home on the family pond, that he loved so much.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at St Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Sainte Marie, Illinois. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sainte Marie, with full military rites by the Sainte Marie American Legion Post #932. Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 PM Monday, December 19, 2022, at the church. In loving memory of Sam, memorials may be made to the St Mary’s Haiti Mission. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here.

Sam was born on June 19, 1931, in Fox Township, Jasper County, Illinois, the eldest son and fourth of eight children of Frank A. & Bernadette (Maginn) Zuber. When he was 3 years old, he moved with the family to their newly built home south of Sainte Marie. It was there on that beloved family farm that he would spend most of his life, becoming the 4th generation to call it home. He graduated from Newton Community High School in 1950, and proudly served in the US Army’s 96th Field Artillery Battalion during the Korean War before returning home to farm.

Though the details are fuzzy, and no one seems to admit to being the responsible party, he eventually met the love of his life and life of the party, Linda Basham, and they were married on January 31, 1959. Together, they somehow managed to raise six unruly children with no one ending up in prison along the way. Their success in parenting reached beyond biological children though as they welcomed three exchange students over the years who truly became members of the family, as well as fostering two amazing young ladies. Sam left an indelible mark on his family, to whom he was a “rock star”—often being the only one who could soothe a crying baby or toddler with his chair rocking, silly songs, and off-tune voice.

Sam never shied away from hard work. He was the epitome of humility and selfless service to others. No task was ever too lowly, and he took on many jobs as needed to provide for his family. Over the years, he served as a custodian for St. Mary’s Church, school bus driver for Jasper County Community Unit schools, “jack-of-all-trades” at Frichtl Steel & Welding, and various others throughout the years. Above all, however, he loved the land and farmed nearly all his life. After he retired and no longer needed to drive a tractor in the fields, he began mowing his lawn with the precision of an artist. When he was forced to let others do the mowing, grateful though he was for the help, there wasn’t a single person who could meet his high standard of lawn care and he wasn’t afraid to tell them what they did wrong. He enjoyed gardening, reading, watching westerns and U of I games, and traveling. He remained close friends with several of his Army buddies, and he and Linda loved to attend the biannual reunions of the 96th Field Artillery held at different places throughout the US. His sweet tooth was the stuff of legend: he never met a pie he wouldn’t try.

Sam was a lifetime member of Sainte Marie American Legion Post #932 and the Knights of Columbus. His faith in God was foremost in his life. As a member of St. Mary of the Assumption parish in Sainte Marie all his life, he served on various committees there throughout the years. Sam’s heart for others was tremendous and he never hesitated to act on it, even to the poorest and most marginalized among us. This led him on 2 mission trips to St. Mary’s sister parish in Haiti in the 80s.

Sam is survived by his children Cari (Carl) Phillips of Sainte Marie, Illinois; Greg (Theresa) Zuber of Sainte Marie, Illinois; Libby Riggs of Plymouth, Indiana; Edie Hice of Newton, Illinois; Amanda (Steve) Huber of Troy, Illinois; Tom (Beth) Georgiou of Champaign, Illinois (formerly of Greece); Matthew (Lynn) Stevens of Ballarat, Australia; and Iris (Kai) Wagner of Durnkrut, Austria; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; Siblings - Vincent (June) Zuber of Assumption, IL and Gloria Schwartz of Belleville, Illinois; Sisters-in-law - Bertie Zuber, Shirley Zuber, Mary (Sid) Gill, Betty Basham, and Nancy Basham; and Brother-in-law – Joe Shelley.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 60 years, Linda; son Chris; grandchildren Marissa Griffith, Gavin Griffith and Austin Zuber, father and mother-in-law Gilbert and Edith Basham; siblings and siblings-in-law Patricia and Henry Gassmann, Cecilia Shelley, Mary Ann Zuber, Gene Zuber, Charlie Zuber, Jim Schwartz, Gilbert and Ruby “Junior & Tiny” Basham, Roy Reese, Jim Basham, Richard and Ninetta Basham, and Bill and Dede Basham.