Frederick Schaller

Frederick George Schaller, 86, of Sarasota, Florida, passed to his rest on August 12, 2020, in Niles, Michigan. His loved ones were able to pay tribute before he passed.

He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 31, 1934, the fourth of five children, to Katherine and John Schaller, both German speaking immigrants from Hungary.

The family moved from Chicago to a farm in Baroda, Michigan, to live a simpler life when Fred was seven years old.  He worked hard on his family’s fruit farm, picking grapes to be processed by Welches.

His life was providentially spared in a 1946 explosion at his grade school.  He graduated from Baroda High School, in 1952, and Emmanuel Missionary College, (now Andrews University), Berrien Springs, Michigan, in 1956 with a business degree.

In his professional life he was a salesman, executive, owner, and real estate developer at various businesses, in Michigan and Florida.

His children, Denise, Greg, John, Ann, and Anthony, remember family trips, Cubs games, pranks, and picnics. Everyone enjoyed good times when Fred and Laura spent summers in Michigan. A family highlight was an Alaskan cruise to celebrate his 70th birthday.

Laura’s best memories include trips to Alaska and Colorado, trying new restaurants, and sunset walks on Siesta Keys beach.

He loved spending time with family, reading his newspapers, eating out, watching cooking shows, and spoiling his cat, Mittens.

Fred was known for his good sense of humor, his wise sayings, his sage advice, his generosity, and his business acumen. He was a good friend, a great cook, an interesting story teller, and a sharp dresser.

He was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Doris Schaller, his parents, brothers John and Robert, sister Maryann Prien.

He is survived by his partner, Laura Kidman of Sarasota, Florida, his brother Henry Schaller of Tucson, Arizona, his children, Denise (Charles) Curnutt of Niles, MI, Greg (Bonnie) Schaller of Los Angeles, CA, John (Cherie) Schaller of Niles, MI, Ann (Tim) Hesson of Dowagiac, MI, and Anthony (Michelle) Schaller of St. Joseph, MI; his grandchildren, William and Kelsey Curnutt, Clifton (Stephanie) Schaller, Margeau (Brent) Wagner, Sammee and Paxton Schaller, and Gabrielle Harrison, with a great grandson joining the family in 2021.

He will be missed by Laura Kidman’s children, their spouses, and grandchildren, his nieces and nephews, along with many family friends.

A private family memorial service was held and a Celebration of Life will follow at a later to-be-determined date.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Grace Hospice of Kalamazoo, (ghospice.com), American Cancer Society (cancer.org), American Heart Association (heart.org) or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA.org)