Terry Lynn Schuchman

Terry Lynn Schuchman, nee Schau, was found dead in bed of natural causes at home on Thursday, July 10, 2025. She died a peaceful death and lived a good life. Terry was born on April 8, 1947, in the old wing of St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville, IL. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Thomas (Tom) Luther Schuchman, whom she first met the summer of their eighth-grade year at the old Belleville Swimming Pool. Also preceding Terry in death were her parents Lois Carolyn Schau, nee Stuck, and Leslie Charles Schau; her maternal grandparents Cora Affholder Stuck, nee Affholder and Edward Oliver Stuck Sr; her paternal grandparents Jessie Marie Schau, nee Reiss, and John Delbert Schau; and her paternal great grandparents Rose Marie Reiss, nee Schilling and Charles (Tinker) Ferdinand Reiss; and her second grandson Thomas Winfred Alkire, who was found dead in bed, at the age of 21, on Christmas morning 2015.

Terry and Tom did not meet again until the beginning of their senior year at Belleville Township High School in Belleville, Il. They began “going steady” on December 4, 1964, and were high school sweethearts forever thereafter. They became engaged on April 27, 1967, and married on May 21, 1968, at Union Methodist Church in Belleville, IL where Terry grew up and where she and Tom attended while they were dating. Tom had grown up at St. Paul's Methodist Church in East St. Louis. The Reverend Eugene Leckrone performed the double ring ceremony. Terry liked to think that theirs was a "match made in heaven".

Terry is survived by their only daughter Tracia Lorie Schuchman Alkire Fisher (Bryan) and three grandsons Patrick Nathanael Fisher, Joshua Paul Fisher and Christian Xavier Alkire (Bethany) and her great grandchildren Gryffin Thomas Alkire and Lily Grace Alkire, a brother Kenneth Lee Schau (Karen) and many more relatives and dear friends.

Terry loved her years at Belleville Township High School and was very active in the Marching Band, German Club, Hy News, Quill and Scroll, and Junior Jam Writing Committee. She was chosen as a Hy News Citizenship Award Nominee her senior year there. She went on to Eastern Illinois University where she received her BS in Education, with a major in math and a minor in journalism, becoming a certified high school math teacher. Terry taught math and English for more than 35 years for Belleville Township High School District 201. Terry retired from TRS and went back to Lindenwood University Belleville to get her MA in Education and returned to teaching math for a long term sub position at Mascoutah High School. She was very active at her church in United Methodist Woman, as Circle Chairman of Deborah Circle, Publicity Chairman, Social Action Chairman and most recently Spiritual Growth Coordinator. She and Tom had been very active members of the Aldersgate Couples Group, bowled in mixed doubles leagues and played in a mixed volleyball league for the YMCA. Terry continued on in the Senior Adult Ministry at Union United Methodist Church where she also served on the Evangelism Committee. Terry was a member of AAUW, the Belleville Optimist, McKendree Writers association and Turkey Hill Grange. She loved people and had been an active girl scout, continuing on in girl scouting as a Senior Mariner Girl Scout and working as a girl scout leader and cookie chairman while Tracia was in Girl Scouting. Terry volunteered as a Program Aid at Camp Keck and worked for the Easter Seals Camps Little Giant, and Aqua Saints at Little Grassy; she received her Senior Life Saving Certificate and Water Safety Instructor from the Red Cross to lifeguard and teach swimming at ElU where she was active in synchronized swimming, the Math Club, and Modern Dance Club. Terry was an active member of the Class of 1965 High School Reunion Committee and helped to plan most of the every five-year reunions the class held. Yes, Terry loved life and lived a good life.

A gathering of family and friends will take place on July 28, 2025, from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main Street, Belleville, Illinois 62220, followed by a Memorial Service at 3:00 PM.