Douglas F. Scherer's Obituary
DECATUR- Douglas F. Scherer, 60, of Decatur, went home to Jesus at 11:50 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2009, while at home after a two-year courageous battle with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Services to celebrate Doug’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, January 4, 2010, in the Chapel of Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, conducted by his brother-in-law Pastor Kirk Henneberry. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday evening at the funeral home. Interment will be in the North Fork Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Harvest Christian Center, 1110 East Curtis Ave., Decatur, IL 62526. Messages of condolence may be directed to the family via e-mail at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Doug was born on July 7, 1949, in Mattoon, a son of James F. and Suzanne M. (Conlin) Scherer. He married Viki M. Henneberry on April 3, 1982, in Decatur. He graduated from Mattoon High School in 1967 and Eastern Illinois University in 1971 with a music education degree. He was a board member of the House of Prayer Ministries, Inc. and a board member of Harvest Christian Center where he taught Sunday school for many years and played his trumpet. He had a great love for the nation of Israel and the Jewish people. He was a bus driver for the City of Decatur Public Transit System for 31 years where he only had one sick day. He was named bus driver of the year several times and was an officer of Amalgamated Transit Union. An outstanding trumpet player, he was a member of the American Federation of Musicians. In April Doug’s family was selected by the St. Louis ALS Association as a family that best exemplifies the Spirit of ALS Across America for the State of Illinois and recently they were honored by the ALS Association with the Outstanding Support in Advocacy and Awareness Award.
He is survived by his wife, Viki; his son, Michael D. Scherer and daughter, Sarah J. Scherer, both of Decatur; brother, Steve Scherer, and sister, Janet Protz (Gerry) both of Mattoon; mother-in-law, Dottie Henneberry of Decatur, brothers-in-law Kim (Cathie) Henneberry, of Miles City, MT, Pastor Kirk (Jeanette) Henneberry of Decatur; sisters-in-law Chris Henneberry of Decatur and Cheri (Greg) Bassana of Decatur and several nieces and a nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law.
Thank you to the ALS Association, MDA, Chelp, Hospice at Memorial Home Services and our many friends and family members who prayed for and blessed us in many ways. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15 Shalom, my wonderful husband and best friend!
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