Leroy "Sarge" Joseph Schmoeller, Jr.

SFC (Sarge) LeRoy J. Schmoeller, Jr. (Joe), USA Retired, age 86, of Palestine, Texas passed away on Wednesday, the 4th day of September 2024 at his home with his loving wife by his side. Sgt. Schmoeller was born in Alton, Illinois on the 20th day of March 1938 to LeRoy J. Schmoeller, Sr. and June L. Winters Schmoeller. He married Eva Mae Baker of Kearney, Missouri August 23, 1969, at Pisgah Baptist Church in Excelsior Springs, MO. He has a Son, Terry Jay Schmoeller of Waco, Texas.

He graduated from Carlinville Illinois High School in 1955 and immediately up graduation he entered the United States Army. He took his basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and AIT (OJT) 11B at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma with 3rd BN 18th Artillery. The BN was transferred to Darmstadt, Germany in 1956. He received Airborne training in 1956 at Ft. Bragg, NC.; Ranger Training at Ft. Stewart, Georgia in 1957 and after each training he returned to Europe. In
November 1958 returned to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. In 1959 he joined Special Operations. His distinguished career included three tours to Europe and four tours of combat duty in Vietnam (1964 thru 1971) where he was in Special Operations. He was a decorated combat soldier.

He was an Army Recruiter in Kansas City, Missouri from 1968 through 1970. It was during this time he met his wife, Eva Mae who was planning to join the Wacs, and instead of putting her in the service he married her in 1969. They lived in Kearney, Missouri until he received orders to report to Ft. Hood, Killeen, Texas where he was assigned as Acting G-4, since he was the ranking man in G-4 at that time. They remained there until December 1970 when Sgt. Schmoeller received orders for Vietnam once more. During his tour in Vietnam, Eva Mae and son, Terry returned to Kearney, Missouri to be close to family. In September 1971 Eva Mae joined her husband in Oahu, Hawaii for R&R. After his return from Vietnam, he was ordered to report to the Recruiting Main Station in Denver, Colorado where he did many different jobs until August 1974 and was ordered to report to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma for Pershing Missile Surveying School. It was only for six months, so his wife and son remained in Colorado. He received orders for Hielbrom, Germany in December 1974. In May 1975 he was transferred to New Ulm, Germany.
January 1976 he applied for retirement and retired at Ft. Carson, Colorado on March 1, 1976, with 21 years.

Following his retirement from the Army he became an over the road driver for Federal Reserve Bank through Wells Fargo Armored Division in Denver, Colorado and was transferred to Kansas City, Missouri in 1977 where he worked 9 years. In August 1983, he and his wife decided to full time travel and continued to do so for over 24 years and finally decided to settle down in Palestine, Texas where they built their own home. Sgt. Schmoeller was a lifelong member of VFW and NRA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy J. Schmoeller, SR, a WWII Veteran and June L. Schmoeller and two brothers, David Schmoeller and Thomas W. Schmoeller, a Vietnam Veteran.

LeRoy's legacy is carried on by his beloved wife of 55 years, Eva Mae Schmoeller, whose partnership with him was a testament to enduring love and mutual respect. Together, they built a life filled with joy and discovery. He was a father of exceptional warmth and guidance to his son, Terry Jay Schmoeller, of Waco, Texas, who continues to embody his father's intelligent and adventurous spirit. Also mourning LeRoy's passing is his sister, Linda Ressler of Brighton, Illinois and sister-in-law, Diane Schmoeller of Mooreville, Mississippi, who cherished him not only as a family member but as a true friend. LeRoy's memory will be treasured by his numerous nieces, nephews, and a wide circle of friends and other relatives, each of whom felt the impact of his wise counsel and generous heart.

A visitation will be held from five o’clock until seven o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 11th day of September 2024 at Rhone Funeral Home.

Funeral services to honor the life of Sarge LeRoy Schmoeller, Jr.  will be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 12th day of September 2024 in the Rhone Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow in the Magnolia Cemetery, with military honors.

Immediately following the graveside service, all are invited to attend a reception in the Rhone Reflection Room at Rhone Funeral Home.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Tyler Linville, Matt Baker, Trey Mullikin, Wilton Cooper, Terry Schmoeller, and Travis Higgenbotham. Honorary pallbearers include Robert Taylor, Billy Mason, Bill Stepp, Tim Albert, and Paul Wilcher.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions can be directed toward the National Rifle Association, donate.nra.org/donate.

We kindly request that you take a moment to express your condolences and share any cherished memories you may have by selecting the "Share a Memory" icon below. Your words of comfort will undoubtedly bring solace to his bereaved family. 

Funeral services for LeRoy Joseph Schmoeller, Jr. are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas. 

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