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Janesville-Virginia V. Schumacher, 92, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 at Mercy Manor Transition Center in Janesville after a four week illness. Virginia was born on August 2, 1923 in Johnson Creek, WI to Julius and Alma (Martin) Nelson. She grew up on the family farm, the eldest of five Nelson daughters, and graduated from Johnson Creek High School in 1941 as class valedictorian. Upon her graduation she moved to Janesville and started her career at the Parker Pen Office where she continued working until 1948. In Janesville she met the only love of her life, Lester “Bud” Schumacher, a seaman in the U. S. Navy. They were married at the Johnson Creek Methodist Church on June 3, 1944 during a weekend leave from his naval post in New York City. Part of the family legend revolves around their planned honeymoon in New York, shortened to a single day when orders for Bud to ship out were issued hours before the D-Day Invasion. He was away for 18 months before returning home. Virginia worked at the Golden Eagle in Janesville for several years followed by 18 years at Wright’s Studio, retiring in 1978. In addition to the family she loved and cherished so dearly her other great source of pride was the role she played in helping organize Asbury United Methodist church, hosting foundational meetings in their home in the mid 50’s. She served in several capacities at Asbury for more than 50 years, the longest as chair of the Finance Committee for more than 25 under five different pastors. She devoted hours of her time to helping with her husband’s lifelong hobby as a racing pigeon enthusiast, volunteering to keep books and records and host meetings for the Rock River Racers for many years. She was an avid Cub, Badger and Packers fan as well as a devoted follower of NASCAR’s Matt Kenseth. A most treasured memory for the family was a Matt Kenseth themed party to surprise her on her 90th birthday. What she enjoyed most was being Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma, treasuring visits with grandkids and sharing pictures of her growing family. Surviving are her three loving children: Denny (Betsy) Schumacher of Janesville, Karen (Richard) Johnston of Williams Bay, WI, Janet (Tom) Carpenter of Quincy, IL, nine grandchildren: Natalie Schumacher (Steve) Pearson, Alexa Schumacher (Josh) Herz, Erika Johnston (Aaron) Miner, Nathan (Ariane) Johnston, Michael (Quincy) Johnston, Sarah Carpenter (Brad) Hoffman, Michael (Camille) Carpenter, Katherine Carpenter and Kristina Carpenter, 11 great-grandchildren: Oliver Pearson, Sydney, Zachary and Elyssa Miner, Andrew and Daniel Johnston, Chase and Ryan Johnston, Mikayla and Emma Hoffman and Madison Carpenter; her four sisters, Eileen Wolfe and Faye Schilberg of Janesville, Valerie (Kenneth) McRoberts of Medford, WI and Marjorie Weber of Crystal Lake, IL. Her husband of almost 60 years passed away May 29, 2003. Also preceding her in death were her parents, two infant siblings, and an infant son, David, and many beloved brothers and sisters-in-law.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014 at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1810 Kellogg Ave., Janesville with Pastor Will Jewson officiating. Visitation is 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Entombment will be in Milton Lawns Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church. Henke-Clarson Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Janesville-Virginia V. Schumacher, 92, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 at Mercy Manor Transition Center in Janesville after a four week illness. Virginia was born on August 2, 1923 in Johnson Creek, WI to Julius and Alma (Martin) Nelson. She grew up on the family farm, the eldest of five Nelson daughters, and graduated from Johnson Creek High School in 1941 as class valedictorian. Upon her graduation she moved to Janesville and started her career at the Parker Pen Office where she continued working until 1948. In Janesville she met the only love of her life, Lester “Bud” Schumacher, a seaman in the U. S. Navy. They were married at the Johnson Creek Methodist Church on June 3, 1944 during a weekend leave from his naval post in New York City. Part of the family legend revolves around their planned honeymoon in New York, shortened to a single day when orders for Bud to ship out were issued hours before the D-Day Invasion. He was away for 18 months before returning home. Virginia worked at the Golden Eagle in Janesville for several years followed by 18 years at Wright’s Studio, retiring in 1978. In addition to the family she loved and cherished so dearly her other great source of pride was the role she played in helping organize Asbury United Methodist church, hosting foundational meetings in their home in the mid 50’s. She served in several capacities at Asbury for more than 50 years, the longest as chair of the Finance Committee for more than 25 under five different pastors. She devoted hours of her time to helping with her husband’s lifelong hobby as a racing pigeon enthusiast, volunteering to keep books and records and host meetings for the Rock River Racers for many years. She was an avid Cub, Badger and Packers fan as well as a devoted follower of NASCAR’s Matt Kenseth. A most treasured memory for the family was a Matt Kenseth themed party to surprise her on her 90th birthday. What she enjoyed most was being Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma, treasuring visits with grandkids and sharing pictures of her growing family. Surviving are her three loving children: Denny (Betsy) Schumacher of Janesville, Karen (Richard) Johnston of Williams Bay, WI, Janet (Tom) Carpenter of Quincy, IL, nine grandchildren: Natalie Schumacher (Steve) Pearson, Alexa Schumacher (Josh) Herz, Erika Johnston (Aaron) Miner, Nathan (Ariane) Johnston, Michael (Quincy) Johnston, Sarah Carpenter (Brad) Hoffman, Michael (Camille) Carpenter, Katherine Carpenter and Kristina Carpenter, 11 great-grandchildren: Oliver Pearson, Sydney, Zachary and Elyssa Miner, Andrew and Daniel Johnston, Chase and Ryan Johnston, Mikayla and Emma Hoffman and Madison Carpenter; her four sisters, Eileen Wolfe and Faye Schilberg of Janesville, Valerie (Kenneth) McRoberts of Medford, WI and Marjorie Weber of Crystal Lake, IL. Her husband of almost 60 years passed away May 29, 2003. Also preceding her in death were her parents, two infant siblings, and an infant son, David, and many beloved brothers and sisters-in-law.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014 at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1810 Kellogg Ave., Janesville with Pastor Will Jewson officiating. Visitation is 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Entombment will be in Milton Lawns Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church. Henke-Clarson Funeral Home is assisting the family.