Eugene Cecil "Gene" Schlau

Eugene Cecil “Gene” Schlau, age 90, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 9:07 A.M. on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois.  He was born on April 8, 1925, in Brookside Township, Clinton County, Illinois, the son of Henry and Katherine (Domrath) Schlau.  He married Nella Mae Baugher on September 18, 1948 in Edwardsville, Illinois and she survives him in Centralia, Illinois.

Mr. Schlau is survived by his sons, Steve Schlau and wife Becky of Trenton, Illinois, Jim Schlau and wife Missy of Centralia, Illinois, Bob Schlau and wife Elaine of Centralia, Illinois, and Jeff Schlau and wife Bev of Hoffman, Illinois, daughters, Barbara Hohn of Leesburg, Florida and Donna Smith and husband Vern of Highland, Illinois, 16 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, sister, Violet Osterholtz of Joliet, Illinois, and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Schlau was preceded in death by his parents, son, Henry Schlau, brother, Henry Schlau, and sisters, Pauline Santanello and Lillian Smith.

Mr. Schlau was a member of the St. Peter United Church of Christ in Centralia, Illinois.  He was a Private First Class in the U.S. Marine Corps, who served his country during World War II from March 22, 1943 until November 20, 1945.  As he was returning from his war-time stations on the Johnson Islands, he crossed the 180th Meridian on September 3 1945.  Mr. Schlau was a member of the Collinsville American Post # 365 and V.F.W. Post # 5691.  He was a life member of Collinsville Masonic Lodge # 712 A.F. & A.M., Scottish Rite Valley of Southern Illinois and Ainad Shriners Temple.  Mr. Schlau` enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden and playing cards.  He loved to hunt and fish.  He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.  He cherished the time he spent with his family especially his children and grandchildren  

Mr. Schlau retired in 1988 as a manager for National Auto Supply in Collinsville, Illinois after 38 years of service.  He was a fire-fighter with the Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department from 1956 until 1988.  He lived in Centralia, Illinois since 1988 and formerly lived in Collinsville, Illinois from 1945 to 1988..

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, October 19, 2015 at Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois with Pastor Brett Palmer officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois with Military Honors accorded by the Centralia American Legion Post 446 and V.F.W. Post 2055.  Friends may call from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 18, 2015 at Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois and 12 noon until the time of services at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, October 19, 2015 at the funeral home.  A Masonic Service will be accorded by the Centralia Masonic Lodge # 201 at 5:30 P.M. on Sunday at the funeral home.  Memorial Contributions may be made in Mr. Schlau’s memory to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, Alzheimer’s Association or St. Peter United Church of Christ and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mr. Schlau’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on Facebook.

 Service Information