Sarah "Louise" Schaefer (89) of Effingham

Sarah “Louise” Schaefer, 89, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at her home.

Celebration of Life services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 22, 2024 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Effingham with Rev. Mike Burdick officiating. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday prior to the service at the church. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.

Memorials may be made to Silk Purse, St. John’s Lutheran Braille Center, or St. John’s Lutheran Church Food Pantry. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Louise was born on March 30, 1934, in West Township, rural Mason, IL. the daughter of John Henry and Beulah Violet (Hinkle) Schaefer. She attended a one room schoolhouse at Bethlehem Church in Altamont, IL and graduated from Altamont High School. She went on to attend Sparks College in Shelbyville. Louise worked 33 years at G.C. Murphy's and 28 years at Walmart (many years as greeter), both in Effingham, IL. After retirement, Louise volunteered at Silk Purse for 10 years and was on the St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Effingham, IL. We are sure that everyone reading this recognizes her and wonders where they have met her… it could have been in any one of her roles: greeter at Walmart, working at G.C. Murphy’s, attendant at the front desk at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital, working at Silk Purse, or when she stocked greeting cards at Martin’s IGA and Walmart.

Louise is survived by sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Schaefer and Marilyn Schaefer, both of Effingham; nephews, Don (Mary) Schaefer of Visalia, CA, Kevin Schaefer of Effingham, and Todd (Michelle) Schaefer of Effingham; nieces, Karla (Kurt) Probst of Stewardson, Teri Schaefer of Effingham, Linda (Joe) Buscher of Effingham, and Jenee (Randy) Berg of Altamont; 15 great nieces and nephews; and 8 great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Johnny Schaefer and Wilbert Schaefer.