Irvin Otto Schueler

Irvin O. Schueler passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Heritage of Meyerland Home in Houston, TX. He lived a tremendous life beginning in the Great Depression and spanning 94 years.

Irvin was born in St. Louis, MO, on August 17, 1931, and spent his childhood just across the river in Wood River, IL. He was the fourth of five children born to August and Johanna (Wille) Schueler. His father, August died in 1943 and the family later moved to Noble, IL, where Irvin became quite the star shortstop on the high school baseball team.

Irvin graduated from Noble High School with the class of 1949. Later that year his mother, Johanna, set off to relocate to Oregon with Irvin and his little brother, Leo. They only made it as far as Powell, WY, where Irvin enrolled at Northwest Wyoming Community College and continued playing baseball. In the early 1950s, he continued his education at the University of Wyoming.

With the Korean War ongoing, Irvin enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1953 and began a 20-year career as a military officer. During his Air Force career, Irvin was a navigator, first on B-29 aircraft and later flying on B-52 bombers. He was very proud of his service with the Strategic Air Command.

In 1956, Irvin met Helen Kulikowski, an Air Force nurse, and they were married in Spokane, WA, on November 3, 1956. Irvin and Helen went on to raise 5 children, Eric, Kurt, Barbara, Alan and Glenn, transferring often and moving to several U.S. Air Force bases. Through the 1960s and early 1970s, Irvin served 5 tours of duty in southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, earning many decorations and medals.

His last stateside assignment was at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, LA. He retired from the Air Force on April 1, 1973. Irvin and Helen divorced in 1975. He then completed his college education at Louisiana State University, Shreveport and began a career in sales. He moved to Houston, TX in 1980 to pursue a better position.

He met Margaret Eskelund in Shreveport, LA, in 1977 and continued dating even after Irvin moved to Houston. Irvin and Margaret were married on July 16, 1983, and began their life together. Margaret and her late husband, Norman Eskelund, had three children, Karen, David and Christopher, who were raised in Shreveport and later moved to Houston in 1983.

Irvin was a devout Roman Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus at Council 3910, St. Thomas More Parish in Houston, TX. He also volunteered for many years maintaining the convent grounds for the Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province in Houston. Many brother Knights and Vietnamese Dominican Sisters were very dear to Irvin.

Irvin is survived by his wife of 42 years, Margaret, all of their children, Eric (and Theresa) of Casper, WY, Kurt (and Kristen) of Morristown, TN, Barbara (and Guy Peterson) of Gordon, WI, Alan (and Denise) of Ridgway, CO, Glenn (and Christine) of Aiken, SC, Karen (and Brian Riley) of Austin, TX, David Eskelund (and Kristi) of Siler City, NC, Christopher Eskelund (and Rachel) of Humble, TX. Also, his brother, Leo (and Patricia) of Buffalo, WY, 21 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen, brothers Theodore and Paul, sister Ella.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 AM, Thursday, April 9 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Houston, TX. A rosary will be recited 30 minutes prior to the Mass. Interment will be at the Houston National Cemetery on Friday, April 10 at 1:30 pm.

I lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to St. Thomas More Catholic Church Food Pantry in Irvin’s name.