Ray A. Schott, Decatur Cemetery, Adams County, Indiana. (2014 photo by Karen)
This is the tombstone of Ray Albert Schott, located in Decatur Cemetery, Decatur, Adams County, Indiana. The marker is inscribed:
SCHOTT
Ray A Schott
PFC US Army
World War II
Apr 3, 1919 – Apr 15, 1993
Our Dad Fredrick, Linda, and Rebecca
The reverse side of the monument is inscribed:
SCHOTT
Alice Anna (Cook)
Feb. 1, 1918 – Feb. 24, 1998
Our Mother Fredrick, Linda, Rebecca, and Tamila
Alice Anna (Cook) Schott, Decatur Cemetery, Adams County, Indiana. (2014 photo by Karen)
Ray Albert Schott was born in Chattanooga, Ohio, on 3 April 1919 to Fredrick and Minnie (Emerich) Schott. He was baptized at Zion Chatt on 18 May 1919 with Otto and Maggie Bollenbacher as his sponsors. Ray was confirmed at Zion on 4 June 1933 by Rev. Carl Yahl.
Zion Chatt’s 1933 Confirmation Class, L to R, front: Ruth Miller, Lois Heffner, Rev. Carl Yahl, Imogene Reef, Naomi Reef. back: Ray Schott, Carl Hunziker, Vernon Becher, Leroy Bollenbacher.
Ray Schott and Alice Anna Cook were married 21 July 1938 in Adams County, Indiana, by Rev. J.S. Hoenstine of Columbia City, Indiana. Alice was born 1 February 1918 in Adams County, the daughter of Henry and Ona May (Durbin) Cook. [1]
When they married Ray was living in Decatur and Alice in rural Decatur. Ray’s occupation was a soy bean employee, so he may have worked at Central Soya in Decatur. Ray gave his birth year as 1916 on his marriage license application, possibly so he would be considered over the age of 21. [1]
In 1940 the couple lived in a rented home in Monroe, Adams County, Indiana. Their son Fredrick D. was one year old, born in Indiana. Ray sewed sacks at a feed mill. [2]
According to Ray Schott’s obituary, he died at his home in Fort Wayne at the age of 74. It noted that he was a native of Chattanooga, Ohio, a WWII veteran, and a retiree of Wayne Pump Company. He was survived by children Rebecca Smith of Fort Wayne, Linda Grote of Decatur, and Fred of Michigan City; sisters Ruth Edwards of Monroe, Indiana, Irene Herron of St. Henry, Ohio, and Annalee Schlechte of Dallas; brothers Paul of New Bremen, Ohio, Dale of Fort Wayne, and Alfred of Rockford, Ohio; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Private services were held at Haggard & Armes Funeral Home, Decatur. He was buried with military honors in Decatur Cemetery. [3]
According to Alice A. Schott’s obituary, she died at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne at the age of 80. She was retired from Franklin Electric Company. She was survived by son Fredrick L. of Westville; daughters Linda Grote, Rebecca A. Smith, Tamila S. Maple, all of Decatur; a brother Gerald Cook of Monroe; two sisters, Esther Ehrsam of Berne and Neva Workinger of Monroe; 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Haggard & Sefton Funeral Home was in charge of the services and she was buried at Decatur Cemetery. [4]
Decatur Cemetery is also known as Greenwood Cemetery and Maplewood Cemetery. It is located on the west side of Decatur, a few blocks west of route 27 and between route 224 and West Monroe Street.
[1] “Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959,” index and images, FamilySearch.org (www.familysearch.org : accessed 25 October 2014), Ray A. Schott and Alice A. Cook, 21 July 1938; citing Adams County; FHL microfilm 002321633.
[2] 1940 U.S. Census, Monroe, Monroe Township, Adams County, Indiana, ED 1-7, p. 1A, family 9, Ray Schott; FamilySearch.org (www.FamilySearch.org : accessed 25 October 2014); from NARA microfilm T627, roll 1024.
[3] The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Friday 16 April 1993, p.6A, Genealogy Bank.com (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 25 October 2014).
[4] The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Thursday 26 February 1998, p. 3C, Genealogy Bank.com (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 25 October 2014).
