Ralph (Jake) Schiesher Obituary (1935 - 2015)

Ralph “Jake” Schiesher (80),Rock City, Illinois, born March 5, 1935, in Hampshire, Illinois, passed away suddenly at his home on Wednesday, May 6, 2015. Born to Ferdinand and Emilie (Erhard) Schiesher of Hampshire. He was raised in the Hampshire – Huntley area. He married Alice (Jones) Schiesher on May 2, 1959 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Huntley, Illinois. He was a Pioneer seed corn dealer for many years in the Hampshire area. They moved to Rock City in 1974 where they raised 5 children. Jake was a dairy farmer until 1987. He drove semi- tractor/trailer and straight truck for many people over the years, most recently for Boals’ Trucking. Jake was a devoted family man with many passions, including traveling, playing cards, polka dancing, telling stories of his hunting trips to Idaho and Montana and riding his motorcycle. He was a huge fan of his grand children’s sporting events, and a good tractor pull (full pull). Something he was most proud of was his mission trips to Honduras and Romania. He was a friend to all and a stranger to none. He was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church for 41 years. In addition, he served his community as a member of the Dakota school board, Dakota Athletic Boosters, and the Rock City Bank board of directors. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Alice; his children, Brian (Beth) Schiesher of Rockford, Kelly (Roger) Hyle of Maricopa AZ, Kevin (Heidi) Schiesher of Pecatonica, Amy (Bruce) Stertzbach of Louisville OH, and Blain Schiesher of Chicago; nine grandchildren, Matthew (Amanda), Heath (Heather) and Barry (Megan) Schiesher, Christopher (Amanda) and Garrett Hyle and Alyssa Schiesher, Keaton Symons, Dillon and Cade Stertzbach; five great-grandchildren, Kaylynn, Sarah and Charlee Schiesher, Demi Hyle and Phillip Schiesher; sisters, Louise (Clyde “Buck”) Bakley, Marion (George) Fruin and Barbara (Richard) Michelson and sister-in-law Darlene Schiesher. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Karl “Shorty” and grandson Nathan Hyle. Funeral ceremonies will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 11, 2015 in St. John Lutheran Church, 1301 Jackson Street, Pecatonica, Illinois with Pastor Terry Theiss officiating. Visitation will be held at McCorkle Funeral Home-Countryman Chapel, 529 Washington Street, Pecatonica, Illinois from 4:00 -7:00 p.m., Sunday, May 10. Cremation rites will be accorded. Final resting place will be in Pecatonica Cemetery. Memorial funds will be donated to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Pecatonica, Rock City Fire Department and the Tri-District Ambulance.