Frederick Merle Schultz

Born on August 20, 1948, in Peoria, he was the son of Merle J. and Mary L. (Briggs) Schultz.

Fred worked for Caterpillar Inc. in East Peoria for 35 years, retiring as a Project Manager. He was a proud graduate of Spalding Institute and earned an associate’s degree from Illinois Central College. He was a past member of the Marquette Heights Men’s Club, NPMH Recreation Association, Spook Hollow, and the Peoria Optimist Club. Fred coached multiple teams at Sacre Coeur Catholic School in Creve Coeur, St. Joseph’s School in Pekin, the Boys & Girls Club of Pekin, Peoria Notre Dame summer league and East Peoria Community Baseball. He loved playing slow-pitch softball in the men’s Caterpillar league.

Fred enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and quilting. Prior to his diagnosis, he took several out-of-state camping trips and fulfilled his lifelong dream of driving to Alaska with his brother-in-law, Gary Benker. He was known for inventing and fixing almost everything, and he even built his own CNC machine. An avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, it was well understood by all that Fred was strictly unavailable during game time.

He is survived by his children: Jeff (Beka) Schultz of Washington; Lisa (Brian) Rhoades of Edwards; David (Darcy Brown) Schultz of East Peoria; and Joe (Tabatha) Schultz of Canton. He leaves behind thirteen grandchildren: Benjamin (Alyssa) Riggen, Cara Riggen, Jake Rhoades, Justin Devore, Kianna Schultz, Brody Schultz, Isabella Schultz, Journey Schultz, Brady Schultz, Rio Brown-Schultz, Addison Schultz, and Maya Brown-Schultz; and two great-grandchildren, Sawyer Phoenix-Elliott and Sylas Riggen. He is also survived by four sisters: Marilyn Perry of East Peoria, Patty Schultz-Benker of Dunlap, Susie (Tim) Gorsage of Washington, and Teresa (Tim) Spore of Edelstein, along with their families.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents; his brother and best friend, Robert Schultz; one brother-in-law, Dan Perry; and one granddaughter, Brittany Devore.

A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Creve Coeur from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Private family burial will take place at a later date at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Metamora.

The family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to his extraordinary team of physicians who guided Fred and his family with the utmost of care: Dr. Isaac Tan, Dr. Philip Mead, Dr. Jane Liu and Laura Hertz, APP. Memorial contributions in honor of Frederick may be directed to the Illinois CancerCare Foundation, 8940 Wood Sage Road, Peoria, Illinois 61615.

To express condolences online, visit www.Preston-Hanley.com.